Toyota Technology: It’s Out of This World!

Toyota cars, trucks and SUVs are out of this world, but you already knew that! But, what you may not know is that Toyota is providing the voice of a robot astronaut being launched into space!

The tiny tike, a 13.4-inch humanoid robot named Kirobo, is heading for the International Space Station to assist with the first human-robot conversation experiment in space. To gear up for the travels, Kirobo participated in safety and zero-gravity tests, and the hope is that through Kirobo, which was developed through the Kibo Robot Project, Toyota Motor Corp. will learn a lot about how to improve interactive conversation technology.

Toyota is no stranger to voice-recognition technology by any means! Currently, in-Toyota infotainment system Entune gives drivers and their passengers a phenomenal user experience—letting them connect seamlessly to popular mobile applications and data services accessible from your Toyota delivered via most smartphones using Bluetooth or a cellular data connection.

Recently, Nuance Communications, a heavy-hitting voice-recognition software company, signed an agreement to purchase Tweedle Connect, which is behind the acclaimed Entune. Nuance’s Dragon Drive automotive-grade voice-recognition platform is already is installed in many Toyota vehicles, providing cool features like voice dialing, navigation, business and music search, message dictation, temperature control—the list goes on! Once Tweedle Connect partners up with Nuance’s Dragon Drive, we're pretty sure the planetary night sky will be the limit on Toyota Entune’s capabilities! The earthlings here at Westboro Toyota also predict that in-car users will have an even more amazing experience—from personal assistance to having an even “smarter,” safer and connected vehicle.

And, this isn’t Toyota’s first time at the space rodeo, either! Awhile back the rugged, half-ton Toyota Tundra made history by pulling the Space Shuttle Endeavor to its new home at the California Science Center. That’s just another example of how Toyota embraces technology and the challenges that come with integrating successful products into our vehicles. Toyota engineers had to provide extensive tests to make sure Tundra had the towing capacity for NASA’s iconic monstrosity—which it did, of course, and voilà —Toyota, once again made history!

Do you have questions about how Toyota technology offers a better ride? Contact Westboro Toyota to discuss Entune and other cool Toyota features with an experienced sales professional. Right now, Westboro Toyota’s Summer Savings Event is going strong, and there are plenty of out-of-this-world pre-Fourth of July deals going on right now. Stop by to test drive a new Toyota and get a FREE $10 Exxon-Mobil gift card!

Tips to Prevent Your Vehicle from Overheating in the Hot Summer Sun

Summer officially begins on Friday, June 21, and soaring temperatures usually come with the longest day of the yeat and those that follow!
The dog days of summer can tax your vehicle. One of the most common ways in which the summer heat can damage your vehicle comes with overheating. You know what Westboro Toyota is talking about! We’ve all seen cars broken down on the side of the road at one point or another with steam billowing from an open hood. Ugh.

The good news is that while we can’t control the mercury from hitting sweltering highs during New England summers, we can all take a proactive approach to ensure that our vehicles are performing in tip-top shape to avoid overheating, roadside disasters.

For starters, don’t use water as a coolant. Sure, in an emergency it may do the short-term trick, but as a best practice make sure your vehicle’s coolant is up to snuff. Book your service appointment 24/7 through Westboro Toyota’s handy online scheduler. During regularly scheduled maintenance, such as an oil change, we can top off your coolant if necessary!
Make sure the radiator cap is on tight. This will ensure that the coolant has the necessary room to expand and contract. Only check the cap when the vehicle has been off for a period of time—don’t touch it when it’s hot, as this may result in burns to the face and hands.
If you hear bubbling or gurgling when driving your vehicle, pull over immediately. Driving a vehicle when the cooling system is malfunctioning can result in disastrous consequences, including engine destruction.
The bottom line: There is no antifreeze gauge that goes off in a vehicle to alert you to low levels, so it’s extremely important that you book regular maintenance for your vehicle. Experienced service technicians like the Westboro Toyota service team can check your antifreeze to ensure you’ve got plenty to get you through the hot summer and can inspect for any drips or leaks and address those issues accordingly.

Schedule your service today with Westboro Toyota, and regularly visit our service specials page for scorching hot deals on maintenance like oil changes, brake work, cabin air filter replacements and more! And, if you’re in market for a new vehicle, the Toyota Summer Sales Event is going strong now through July 8, 2013 at Westboro Toyota. We’ve got exceptional deals on brand-new 2013 Toyotas. Stop by now for a test drive and get a free $10 Exxon-Mobil gift card! 

It’s Here: Your Sneak Peek at the Newly Redesigned 2014 Toyota Corolla!

Last week, we gave you a little tease about the newly redesigned 2014 Toyota Corolla and reminded you about some amazing Toyota Time deals on brand-new Toyota Corollas here at Westboro Toyota. Now it’s time to give you a sneak peek at the phenomenal 2014 Toyota Corolla that will be hitting our showroom floor very soon!

The 11th generation Toyota Corolla features strong exterior styling, with a sleeker, more dynamic design that is sure to turn heads about this iconic compact vehicle that’s been one of America’s most treasured car since coming to market nearly 50 years ago with about 40 million sales around the world and counting.

“The 2014 Corolla’s exterior form tapers towards the front and rear of the vehicle to emphasize the wheel arches, with a longer, faster sloping roofline that blends into a shorter rear deck to lend the sedan a sportier image,” said Toyota when describing the all-new 2014 Corolla in a recent press release.

The newly redesigned 2014 Toyota Corolla has athletic character that the 15- or 17-inch alloy wheel options compliment tremendously. The 2014 Corolla’s interior matches its impressive exterior in the refinement department! We’re talking about a clean, horizontally oriented dash panel design that provides an added sense of spaciousness to the interior cabin. We're confident you’ll enjoy the look of the instrument panel and surrounding areas, too, which are decked out in premium materials with piano black and metallic accents and decorative pin-stripping to blow compact car competition out of the style waters!

And, the 2014 Toyota Corolla comes in a new LE Eco grade, featuring a more efficient 140-horsepower, 1.8-liter engine with Valvematic technology, improved aerodynamics, and low-rolling resistance tires. Corolla Eco-badged models are poised to achieve a very impressive highway fuel economy rating of over 40 mpg thanks to the new Valvematic engine combined with a newly developed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)! Keep in mind, too, that the Corolla L, LE and S grade models are all powered by a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine with intelligent Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i) that produces 132 horsepower.

There’s plenty news about the all-new 2014 Toyota Corolla, which Westboro Toyota will be sharing with you as the date we accept delivery on these beauties draws closer. In the meantime, keep your eye on the prize: If you’re are looking for a popular sedan that’s got modern, expressive styling and premium interior features, great fuel economy and performance and a plethora of available options, such as touchscreen audio, smart key/push-button start, power moonroof, back-up monitor, SofTex™ seats or a rear-deck lid spoiler, the 2014 Toyota Corolla very well may be the right car for you!

Don’t forget, too, that in the meantime we’ve got exceptional deals on brand-new 2013 Toyota Corollas and a spectacular deals on the fleet of new Toyotas that we stock during our Toyota Summer Savings event. Stop by now for a test drive and get a free $10 Exxon-Mobil gift card!

Get a Great Deal on Brand-New 2013 Toyota Corolla LE Before Redesigned 2014 Corolla Hits Showroom Floor!

Today, the media was abuzz over the all-new, 2014 Toyota Corolla, which features a sleek redesign and aggressive and great styling. They were hoping Toyota would unveil the newly designed 2014 beauty today, but they're still anxiously awaiting the unveiling!

Westboro Toyota would like to take this opportunity to say how proud we are to sell the Toyota Corolla, one of the most beloved vehicles in America since it came on the market in 1968. We can't wait to share with you all the 2014 Toyota Corolla has in store—rumor has it that you'll be able to get a brand-new 2014 Corolla with 17-inch alloy wheels, touch-screen audio and LED headlights! 

We sure will keep you posted on all the great features of the 2014 Toyota Corolla as soon as they go public, but in the meantime, stop by Westboro Toyota for our Toyota Time sales event to test drive an all-new 2013 Toyota Corolla LE—on sale for around $16,000! 

This offer ends July 8, 2013, and we’re talking about a real Toyota superstar—a a four-door 1.8L 4 cylinder beauty that get’s great gas mileage—26 city/34 highway—that retails for more than $19,000!

Stop by today to test drive the 2013 Toyota Corolla and get a $10 Exxon-Mobil gift card for free! Don't forget, too, that when you buy a new Toyota from Westboro Toyota, you get complimentary manufacture-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles—whichever comes first!

Plus, right now we’re offering $0 down/$0 financing to qualified buyers!

And, keep an eye out for the latest information on the all-new 2014 Toyota Corolla, which is coming soon to Westboro Toyota!

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!