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With storms sweeping across the country, the time to review cold-weather practices for travel by car is before getting on the road. Check out these top winter driving tips from our partners at the Bridgestone Winter Driving School, The Center for Driving Sciences. Stow Patrol Winter weather can be unpredictable, so plan for the unexpected. Carry extra winter clothing, including boots, gloves, hats and blankets. Don’t forget a flashlight with extra batteries, tow straps and jumper cables¹. Use the compartment underneath the new bridge console in the 2021 Sienna to store these winter items. more The Right Rubber to Meet the Road Review whether your car is outfitted for the season by considering switching to winter tires². In addition, when possible, monitor road conditions before setting out. When on the road look for sections of the road on which ice may have formed. Shadows are a good indicator of where ice could be. Large trees, buildings, overpasses, mountains and even billboards could be a signal of unsafe terrain ahead³. Stay vigilant. And remember, it takes four to ten times more distance to brake on snow and ice than under normal conditions4. Getting a Grip Twenty-four percent5 of weather-related crashes happen on snowy, slushy or icy pavement, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles can help provide additional support in winter conditions. AWD systems are designed to improve handling and acceleration, even more so in slick conditions, by automatically directing more power to the tire with the best traction. AWD vehicle options are available across the Toyota lineup, with the 2021 Toyota Avalon now offering an AWD option for the first time in the car’s 25-year history. The Avalon sends up to 50% of the torque to the rear wheels, for enhanced grip and control in most driving conditions. The 2021 Prius also comes equipped with electronic AWD capabilities. Handling Skids It’s important in the event of skid to be prepared and if possible, to remain focused. Knowing what to do can help you keep calm and stay in control. If you feel the rear wheels skid and the vehicle begin to spin, the cause is likely to be oversteering. To fix it, steer into the skid, according to Bridgestone. Then accelerate smoothly. That should cause a weight transfer to the rear wheels and help regain grip6. When the car refuses to turn on a curve, it’s likely caused by understeering, which creates skid for the front wheels. Bridgestone recommends correcting this by lifting off the pedal and turning the wheel slightly straight. This allows the front wheels to regain grip and begin rolling again7. Toyota models with the Star Safety System are equipped with the vehicle stability control system. The system is designed to help prevent wheel slippage and loss of traction by reducing engine power and applying brake force to the wheels that need it. Sensors in the steering wheel detect a change in direction and help return the vehicle to its intended route. Aware and Prepared Winter driving conditions vary greatly. By paying attention to your surroundings, remaining cautious of other drivers and preparing thoughtfully can help you navigate winter season on the road.

Just as you gear up to fight off the winter chill, it's also important to make plans to protect your car against the elements. Implementing a little planning and acting on these simple steps can extend the life and looks of your vehicle, in the wintertime and beyond. Cover Up It may be convenient, but leaving your car outside to soak up the sun, wind, and rain can dull a paint job over time. If you have access to a garage or carport, don't be lazy and just leave it in the driveway. Go ahead and pull the car in the garage to park. You'll thank yourself when you don't have to shovel snow and ice to dig your car out when the weather takes a turn for the worse. more Protection Matters You can protect your car's "skin" just the same as you would your own--by applying a little balm. Car wax and paint sealants applied over the car's surface imparts a nice luster while also protecting the paint job from corrosive road salts and dirty snow melt. Don't forget about your tires. Keep wheel corrosion at bay with wheel coating and an application of tire gel will prevent tires from cracking in the cold. Scrape Carefully Use the right tools for the season, such as a snow brush with soft bristles, and be wary of scraping a windshield scraper across paint surfaces, as it may cause damage. In addition, using a windshield wiper fluid that was formulated for wintertime will help keep moisture from freezing. You can also make sure to dust snow and ice off of the hood when you exit the car so that melting run-off won't freeze on the windshield. Pull your wipers up off of the surface to keep them from freezing to the surface so your scraping isn't such a chore. Clean Up One of the best things you can do to prevent corrosion is to wash your vehicle frequently. You can do this at home, but many people prefer to take their car to a car wash or detailer in the winter months to clean even hard to reach places, like the undercarriage and behind mudflaps. Try to wash your car earlier in the day so there will be time for it to dry without water refreezing on the car. Also, beware of washing in very low temperatures, lest your doors and locks freeze shut. The Inside Counts Don't neglect the interior of your car. One surprising place that breeds corrosion is underfoot, beneath your snowy boots. Melting, dirty snow carries road salt which can soak the vehicle floor mats and sink through to the undercarriage, eventually causing rust. It's a good idea to invest in fitted plastic floor mats that will easily wipe clean with a towel. Keep your car clean inside and out in the winter months. If you are vigilant about washing your car and protecting its surfaces, you'll also protect your car's beauty and structural integrity in all seasons. You can also protect your car's "skin" just the same as you would your own, by applying a little balm. Car wax applied over the surface of the car will not only impart an attractive glow, but will also protect the paint job from corrosive road salts and dirty snow melt. Photo by John Morton | Licensed under cc BY-SA 2.0

When we drive our car, we are mindful of other vehicles and follow the rules of the road. However, there are times when we find ourselves in an accident, no matter how cautious we are. How many people Photo by StockSnap | Licensed under CC0

This video below gives instructions on how to operate the automatic transmission in your new Toyota.

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Smartphones are used for so much more than phone calls, pictures and music these days. Put your phone to work for you with one of those car apps. GasBuddy

Pedestrians are all over the place, and they travel in all different forms. They may be walking, jogging, or running, or they might be bicycling. That's why it's

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Pets are like family, so it is only natural that you want to include them in everything, including car rides. While transporting pets in cars is dangerous, it is a very common occurrence. That is why Marlow Heights Toyota dealer urges you to keep your pets safe on the road by asking the following questions. How is it Dangerous for Your Pet? Having a pet in your vehicle that unrestrained is very dangerous. You would never allow your child to roam free in your vehicle, and it shouldn