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For the most part, cleaning the inside of your car isn’t anything special. There have been wipes and solutions for cleaning vinyl and leather interiors, soaps for cloth car seats and all kinds of products to make the inside of your car look new again, but can you use those on your car’s touchscreen? It’s best to make sure you have a safe way to clean your infotainment screen so you don’t end up damaging it. Continue reading for advice on how to get rid of smears, fingerprints, residues and more. more How to Build an Emergency Kit for your Vehicle What Kind of Cloth Should I Use for a Car Touchscreen? Cleaning a touchscreen should be done with care, and not with just any old cloth. Go for microfiber cloths or rags, and make sure they are clean before you use them on your touchscreen. You might be tempted to use alcohol-based wet wipes, but don’t do it. Wipes often leave streaks and can damage some touchscreens with plastic surfaces, not to mention the fibers aren’t very soft. Don’t use regular rags, paper towels or newspaper either, save those for drying off your windows. How Do I Prevent Rust on my Car? What Liquid Should I Use to Clean my Car’s Touchscreen? For the most part, regular fingerprints, dust, and other light deposits can be cleaned off with clean water. For best results, avoid tap water and go for distilled water instead. Soap is not necessary, even if you have tougher residues. If you do run into difficult spots that harden, mix some distilled white vinegar into an equal amount of clean water and use that instead. The acidity of the vinegar can help break down oils and sugar so they wipe off. What Is the Difference Between a Sunroof and a Moonroof? What is the Best way to Wipe a Screen? Pick one of the following methods and stick to it. Either wipe side-to-side or up-and-down. You might be tempted to do circles, but your screen won’t be as clean. On a wider screen, side-to-side will be your best bet.

You should always be prepared for emergencies, especially when you drive. This post is designed to help you put together your own emergency kit. Some of these ideas you might not want to use, but others should point you in the direction so you can make your own car emergency kit. Continue reading the rest of this entry to learn more! more What Should be Included in a Car Emergency Kit? How Big is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner? Flashlight Make sure you have some kind of flashlight in your car’s emergency kit. If you want to choose a battery-operated flashlight, make sure to get extra batteries and check regularly to see that they still have a charge. Alternatively, get a flashlight with a hand crank so you don’t need to rely on batteries. Restaurants that Deliver in Pocatello, ID First Aid Kit No emergency kit is complete without a first aid kit. You can simply buy one, or buy all the parts yourself. Get a container and fill it with at least the following to build a basic first aid kit: Adhesive bandages Gauze Antibiotic Ointment Medical Scissors Non-Latex Gloves Over-The-Counter Painkillers Winter Survival Clothing If your car gets stuck in the snow or you hit some ice and slide into a ditch, you will be glad you packed winter weather essentials like gloves, a hat, an extra sweatshirt, and a scarf. You could even pack a blanket or two in the event that you need to stay warm inside the car until help arrives. What’s the Best Toyota Model For Road Trips In Idaho? Healthy, Non-Perishable Food You don’t need to keep a lot of food in your car, but long-lasting foods that are high in protein and electrolytes could be lifesavers. Pack nuts, jerky, and dried fruit for a well-rounded emergency food supply. It won’t be enough to fill you up, but enough for you to have the energy you need to reach shelter or wait for rescue to reach you.

You’ve probably wondered the same question to yourself a few times and haven’t been brave enough to ask, but the difference isn’t that hard to remember once you learn it. But since they are easy to confuse with each other, most forgive those that mix the two up. Read on to learn more about the differences between them. more What Makes a Sunroof a Sunroof? First off, a sunroof is a general term for a piece of glass or an opaque panel that lifts open or slides to one side for better lighting or airflow. If it is made of glass it could be either a moonroof or a sunroof, but if it is not made of glass, it can only be a sunroof. Most vehicles have a sunroof or moonroof that is powered by a motor instead of unlatching by hand like the minivan windows of the past. What Makes a Moonroof a Moonroof? A moonroof is a specific type of sunroof that includes a glass panel that slides back between the roof and headliner of the vehicle itself. Plenty of modern moonroofs do this with a motor and can also tilt open. To help keep the two distinct in your mind, remember that it is called a moonroof because it can slide back into the body of the vehicle either a little or a lot, like how the moon's phases show a little or a lot of light depending on the phase of the moon. Where Can I Get a New Car Battery in Pocatello, ID? What Toyota vehicles have a sunroof or moonroof? Lots of Toyota vehicles have a moonroof or sunroof, but they usually must come from a higher trim level to include that feature. For sedans, the 2020 Toyota Corolla has a power moonroof, and the Camry of the same year has a panoramic moonroof. The SUV lineup is well-equipped, with the 2020 Toyota RAV4 and Highlander having panoramic moonroofs. The 2020 Toyota 4Runner has a Power Moonroof, much like the Sequoia, but the Sienna minivan has a unique dual moonroof design.

Living in Idaho, you’ve all learned how to drive in the snow and how to prepare your vehicles before winter. However, there may be one thing you may be forgetting, a Winter Emergency Kit. What should you keep in your Winter Emergency Kit? Keep reading to find out! more Winter Emergency Kit Supplies High quality ice scraper and snow brush. Removing snow and ice from your car will help keep visibility when driving during winter. Make sure to brush the snow off the entire car to prevent the snow from blowing onto the windshield or back window and hindering your visibility. Shovel and salt or sand. Sometimes the snow is too high for your vehicle to make it through. Keeping a shovel will allow you to dig yourself out and drive away. Keeping salt or sand will allow you to sprinkle it under your tires and in your path to help you gain traction on slippery roads. Winter clothing and blankets. If you get into an accident or you get stranded, having these supplies will keep you warm until help arrives. If your car doesn’t restart, you’ll need the extra layers to help prevent hypothermia or frostbite from happening. Keep hand warmers in your car as well for extra warmth. First aid kit. If you or one of your passengers are injured in a crash, this will help to apply first-aid before emergency services arrives on the scene. Taking these precautions can help to lessen the severity of an injury. Flares or reflectors, and a flashlight. The reflectors or flares will help bring attention to you and make other drivers aware that you are on the side of the road. The flashlight will help you see what went wrong with your vehicle. Read more: How to be smart with your vehicle during the winter months More Tips and Tricks from Phil Meador Toyota Like this winter vehicle tip? Keep following our blog for more tips and tricks from Phil Meador Toyota. Not only do we want to help you find the perfect vehicle, we want our customers to be prepared for any vehicle problems. Visit us at Phil Meador Toyota to get your vehicle serviced this winter.

Now that we’re in December and winter weather is upon us, your vehicle is going to take some hits. Between the colder temperatures, snowstorms and icy roads, you’ll need take extra care of your vehicle during these next couple of months. Today we will be teaching you how to be smart with your vehicle during the winter. Keep reading to learn about these tips and tricks! more Tips and tricks for keeping your vehicle in top shape during winter The first thing that you should get used to checking regularly is your tire pressure. Colder temperatures cause the tires to lose pressure. For every 10 degrees that the temperature drops, expect to lose about one to two pounds of pressure. To prevent a flat tire from happening, check your tire pressure every week with a tire gauge. You can find the proper tire pressure level in your vehicle’s manual or on a sticker in the door jamb. The next thing you should check regularly is your oil. Due to the cold weather, motor oil can become thick and flow as easily. To prevent this from happening, make sure that you have the proper oil. You’ll want an oil with a lower viscosity. The best oil to buy is a 5W-30 or 0-W30 oil. Be sure to get an oil change if you are using the wrong oil. The last thing you should do is remember the little things. These things will all help you in case of emergency or normal winter weather conditions. If you have lived in Idaho for a while, you may already have an ice scraper. It may time to get a new one if it isn’t scraping as well. If you ever have the issue of a dead battery or a flat tire, be sure to have the proper supplies. These supplies include an extra jacket, gloves, hat, scarf and a blanket. If you’ll be waiting for help to arrive, you’ll want to keep warm to prevent hypothermia. Read more: Can I Use All-Terrain Tires In Winter? Get your vehicle serviced at Phil Meador Toyota If you need to get an oil change or new tires for winter, come get your vehicle serviced at Phil Meador Toyota. Schedule an appointment online or contact us today!

Renting a car is one of the most convenient ways to get around when you’re away from home. It can also be a bit expensive if you don’t know a few simple tricks. Like anything in life, there are things you can do to save a few pennies when you rent a car. Keep reading to learn more. more You might also be interested in: How to defrost your windshield in cold weather 3 ways to save when you rent a car Look for coupons This sounds painfully obvious, but it’s something plenty of people forget about. A simple Google search will give you access to tons of different coupons and discounts. Even if you can’t find one that is applicable to you, you should ask your agent about available coupons they have. This is the quickest way to save on renting a car, or on anything, really. You might also want to read: What is ToyotaCare? Avoid the airport If you fly to your destination, you will probably see rental car desks at the airport. It would be super convenient to get your rental car right then and there, but that convenience comes at a cost. Many airport-based rental dealerships charge up to 20% more than other locations. If you can find a way to a different rental store, you will save some cash. Go with something economical It can be pretty tempting to pick out a fancy vehicle with every bell and whistle. But if you’re only going to have the car for a week or two, tops, why bother spending more for luxury? If saving money is your goal, you should go with an efficient, safe, compact ride. Your credit card bill will thank us later. You might also like: Can I use all-terrain tires in winter?