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Want to give your special someone, who also loves Toyota, a great gift for Valentine's day? Or maybe you're hoping this is a way to direct someone more aloof into thinking about you, by appealing to their favorite automaker. If he or she adores Toyotas, or even just owns one, these gifts will put a smile on their face. Small Personal Items These items are for smaller, growing affections, and there are plenty of choices. For instance, you can keep it simple by giving someone a Toyota key ring. There are many different key ring shapes and designs, both masculine, feminine, expensive, and affordable. For a little more money, you can get someone a model of their very own Toyota, to keep on a desk at work or at home. more Cargo Enhancements If the person drives a Toyota 4runner, or other vehicle used for carrying plenty of cargo, help them out with model-specific accessories like a cargo divider, cargo net, and other protective features. This practical addition will remind them of you, every time he or she loads or unloads groceries or other sensitive items. They don't cost too much, and are designed to easily fit with the specific model. Exterior Features Think about any part of a car's exterior, and there's a gift related to it. Has the person you care about complained that certain parts don't look their best anymore? There are tons of exterior accessory and detailing options for Toyota models. Maybe you know that they would like something flashy and new. On the low end, a custom license plate come in different styles, from serious and plain to wacky and colorful. For a high-dollar accessory, gifting new rims is a bold statement, for a bold recipient. Wheel Locks This option is great for the more wary Toyota owner. Wheel locks are an expensive purchase Photo by InnerVisionPRO | Royalty-free stock photo ID: 269568806

Is your glove box a nest of loose receipts, expired documents, and old food wrappers? Whether you keep your glove box clean and tidy or not, it should have the things that can save you a lot of time and hassle. Put this convenient bit of storage space to use with these five items. Antibacterial Hand Wipes Your hands touch so many parts of your interior, it's only right to have something sanitary. Not only are hand wipes nice to use every so often, just as you're leaving or entering your car, but they're also great against drive-thru meals and other sticky situations. Both you and your passengers will appreciate it. If possible, try to get non-scented wipes, so your hands don't reek of lemon or herbs. A simple miniature trash container will make putting away used hand wipes a lot simpler, so look out for one of those as well. There are options that hook behind seats, on doors, or in almost any convenient area. more Standard Tire Pressure Gauge There's no excuse for not having a tire pressure gauge when you really need one, so why not keep one in your glove box? Going fancy is not recommended. A simple, pencil-style tire gauge, without batteries or digital screens, will do the job and determine your PSI just fine. On a related note, remember to check your tire inflation at least once a month. Staying on top of your pressure can improve your gas mileage and save you a lot of money over the course of the year. Basic Multi-Tool A Photo By Ammacintosh Pakpintong | Royalty-free stock photo ID: 271675454

Having a car is a great investment. It gets you where you need to go and is a reflection of your personal style. However, it won't get you anywhere if it's not properly taken care of. Keeping your car clean, both inside and out, is very important to its longevity. Here are seven tips that will make sure your car stays clean longer. 1. Clean the Carpets It is hard to avoid getting your carpets dirty. Even if you forbid everyone to eat in the car, shoes are full of dirt that collects on the carpet. You can get them cleaned at a local car wash, or use carpet shampoo and do it yourself. Vacuum regularly to pick up any loose dirt. more 2. Wipe Surfaces Down Your dashboard, steering wheel, and other hard surfaces pick up lots of germs and dirt from hands. Clean these surfaces to prevent the spread of bacteria and to keep the car clean and smelling fresh. To be chemical-free, use baby wipes rather than ones from an auto store. 3. Keep Your Seats in Good Condition Lots of people sit in your car, and over time those seats get worn out. Proper cleaning will help them look new again. Leather seats need a special conditioner to make them shine, while cloth seats should be vacuumed and scrubbed. 4. Clean Air Vents Dirt builds up over time. You don't want to turn on the air conditioner and have a blast of dirt hit your face. Vacuuming air vents consistently helps to prevent buildup and damage to your car and your health. 5. Maintenance Is Key You have to keep your car running smoothly, so don't forget to check under the hood. Change your oil as needed, and make sure to top off wiper, brake, and other fluids. Even changing the wiper blades when they wear out prevents problems. Proper maintenance helps your car run for tens of thousands of miles. 6. Use an Air Freshener Even after cleaning your car, sometimes a smell still lingers. Hang an air freshener on the rear-view mirror or clip it on the vent. It releases a pleasant scent for up to 30 days, so remember to change it monthly. 7. Keep a Trash Can in the Car You bring all kinds of items into your car, from receipts to food. Once you realize you need to get rid of them, either you look around for a garbage can or stick trash in the back seat. You forget about it until you don't know what that smell is. A trash receptacle in the car is useful; it can be as simple as a plastic bag. These seven tips are just the beginning to keeping your car running well and looking good for a long time. Proper care and cleaning helps your car last for a long time. You do invest in maintenance, but keeping your car free from trash and dirt is also a great long-term strategy. Photo by VintageBlue | Licensed under cc0 1.0

Getting your windshield dirty is easy. Cleaning it, however, is also easy. Visit Passport Toyota Service Center and see if your wiper blades need replacing today.

Like other inevitabilites such as death and taxes, winter looms, and with it comes potential problems for the unprepared. However, your car doesn't have to fall victim this year. By prepping your car for winter well ahead of the inclement weather, you can avoid the headaches of an unreliable vehicle. Here's a few ways to prep your car for the harsh Washington, D.C., weather. Do a Routine Maintenance Check If you're taking a car in for an oil change or a tire rotation, have the mechanic make sure all of your car's systems are running efficiently and properly. This includes a check of the battery, antifreeze, brakes, heater, and defroster. All of these are integral to ensuring your comfort and safety during the winter, and many places do it for little or no cost to you. more Get New Tires Another problem that arises during winter is traction in snowy or icy conditions. That's why it's important to make sure your tires are up to the challenge. If you have an SUV or all-wheel drive vehicle, this is less of a concern, but it's still important to check. The best way to do this is the penny test. Turn a penny upside down so Lincoln's head is facing you. If his head disappears when you put the penny in your tire treads, you're probably all right. However, if you see his whole head, your tires are bald and it's time for a replacement. Pack an Emergency Kit In many places during the winter, road conditions get bad enough that the Department of Transportation opts to close roads. Often it's late on this judgement call, causing motorists to become stranded on the interstate. In case of the worst scenario, it's a necessity to have an emergency kit. In this kit include batteries, a flashlight, nonperishable food, bottled water, extra clothes, and a blanket. With these items, you'll enable yourself to stave off a long night when stranded. Plan Ahead Whether you're headed to work or taking a 500-mile road trip for the holidays, you need to plan ahead. Listening to weather reports is a surefire way to avoid massive storms. If this is the case, check a map or GPS to find alternate routes to and from your destination. Although it may take a little longer, it's certainly better than hitting a storm or having to stay a night somewhere out of your way. Keep Your Fuel Tank Filled The reason to keep your tank filled is twofold. First of all, in an emergency, you don't want to run out of gas. If you do, you may not have heat to keep yourself warm. Secondly, a low gas level allows condensation to form inside the gas tank. If this water leaks into your fuel line, it can freeze and cause the line to burst. When in doubt, it's best to top it off. Winter driving doesn't have to become a fiasco. With some planning during the fall, you'll find that it's as easy as ever to navigate the roads, even when conditions are far from stellar.   image via Toyota

With holiday trips on the horizon, now is the perfect time to make sure your car is ready for a road trip. Both inside and out, you

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Nearly 11,000 tire-related accidents happen yearly, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Proper maintenance and care of your tires can help keep you from becoming a statistic. The Penny Test The most popular home test for determining the amount of wear on your tire tread is the penny test. Place a penny headfirst into the tire tread grooves. If Lincoln

Properly inflated tires allow you to maximize your fuel economy, and can even extend the life of a tire. Regularly checking your tire pressure is both important and simple. All you need is an air compressor, found at most gas stations, and a tire pressure gauge, which is available at most places where automotive parts are sold. You may also want to have a pen and paper handy. Figure Out the Recommended PSI The recommended PSI for your vehicle is typically located on a label in the driver

When you buy a vehicle, it's crucial that you take the best possible care of it. With a simple and regular maintenance routine, you can easily to ensure that your car