Can My Toyota Hybrid Handle the Cold? | York PA
Get Your Toyota Hybrid Winter-Ready in York, PA
Winter weather can be a pain in the neck, not only because you have to bundle up to go outside but because your car needs some extra TLC to prepare for the harsh elements. For our customers who drive a Toyota hybrid, maintaining good car health is a must to get through the winter season unscathed. That’s why the expert team at Toyota of York has compiled a straightforward guide on how to keep your Toyota hybrid safe to drive and ready to tackle Pennsylvania’s climate and terrain this winter. Read on to learn more!
Tips on How to Maintain Optimal Performance
Perform a DIY Inspection
No matter if you’re going on a grocery store trip or a cross-country adventure, giving your Toyota hybrid quick, regular inspections can be extremely helpful for staying proactive on any issues that may arise. We’re sure you’d rather take care of a small problem than ignore it until it snowballs into a bigger one. Monitor aspects such as the A/C electrical functions, oil and gas levels and wiper blade health. Make sure you follow the recommended maintenance schedule for your hybrid as this routine service will ensure that your vehicle will perform at its very best. If you’re not sure where to start or what to inspect, simply schedule a service appointment with our expert technicians and we’ll take care of everything, explaining what you should look for in your home inspections moving forward.
Check Tire Health
It's extremely important to check the tire pressure on any car, especially during the colder months. Fill your tires up with air whenever necessary. Monitoring the traction of your tires is also important; you want as much grip as possible so your Toyota hybrid can tackle slippery road conditions. The penny test is a sure way to test the tread on any tire — stick the coin in the grooves of the tires with Lincoln facing you and upside down. If the top of Lincoln’s head is showing, your tread is low and you may need a new set. Don’t push this off thinking it’s not a big deal — get your tires replaced as soon as possible before the harsh weather makes it even more unsafe to drive your ride. Depending on the trim of your Toyota hybrid, you may have an all-wheel drive system, which makes it even more crucial to maintain your model’s health as much as possible.
Park in a Garage
If you have the option to park in a closed garage, take advantage of that opportunity. Parking in an enclosed space protects your Toyota hybrid’s battery from the cold temperatures which helps preserve the battery’s life. If your hybrid comes with a remote start feature, an extra step you can take is to turn on your vehicle from a distance, let it idle and warm up and then get in to start your commute. If you take off with a cold engine, your car is going to use more energy, while a vehicle that’s warmed up has the necessary starting power to ramp up for a seamless ride.
Turn Off the EV Driving Mode
Depending on how low the temperature drops, you may want to consider turning off the EV drive mode for your hybrid. A Toyota hybrid easily switches between its gas-powered engine and all-electric motor, but you can manually turn on the EV drive mode to drive on all-electric power for a limited number of miles. Turning EV mode off helps conserve energy for your battery, which is vital in cold weather. The Toyota hybrid offers both power capabilities for a reason, so preserve the longevity of your battery as much as you can by utilizing the easily accessible gas-powered engine!
Inclement weather always has an impact on your model’s performance. But the team here at Toyota of York is convinced that your Toyota hybrid can handle anything that our Pennsylvania climate will throw at it. To learn more about our selection of new Toyota hybrids, stop by our location at 1885 Whiteford Road, York, PA 17402. We serve customers near Hanover, Lancaster and Elizabethtown.