3 Ways to Clean Winter's Salt off Your Car and Why You Should

July 06, 2020 · 3 min read

someone washing winter salt off of their car

It's important to upkeep the maintenance of your car at all times, but even more so when the winter months arrive. One of the main reasons for this is the salting of roads, which melts the ice that causes slippery and dangerous conditions during freezing temperatures. Although this is good for your safety, the salt is not good for your car as it causes corrosion and rust. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to counteract these unwanted effects.

Wash Your Car Regularly

Although it's always advisable to wash your car regularly, you should be especially vigilant in doing so during the winter months. If possible, aim to wash your car at least once every two weeks to prevent the onset of corrosion. Here are a few tips you can follow to obtain the best results:

Rinse first: It's important to rinse your car thoroughly with fresh water before washing. If you apply soap water directly to dry paint, you may end up grinding the salt into your car's paint finish and scratching the surfaces.
Use car shampoo: Use two buckets during the washing process and fill one with a wash solution and the other with fresh water. Wash the car from the top down with a mitt, which you should rinse in the bucket with fresh water before dipping it in the wash solution again.
Dry the car: As the last step, use a microfiber towel to dry all the areas of the car thoroughly to ensure that no parts freeze overnight.

Wax Your Car

Waxing is one of the most effective ways to prevent corrosion and damage to the paint finish of your car. Although you should ideally apply wax to your car's exterior about three to four times a year, the most important time to do so is just before the onset of winter. As a first step, go over the exterior with a clay bar to get rid of any bonded contamination on the paint's surface that the wash did not remove. If your car's paint finish is scratched or a bit damaged, you can apply a polishing compound to smooth out the surface. Finally, apply the wax, using gentle overlapping motions.

Pay Attention to the Undercarriage of Your Car

Apart from tires, a car's undercarriage is the part of a vehicle that's most susceptible to corrosion and rust as it's close to the road surface. The undercarriage of a car mostly consists of unprotected metal components that can quickly become rusted or damaged. This can cause mechanical issues in the long run. Although it does help to regularly rinse the undercarriage with a hose or a pressure washer, you should also have this part of your vehicle properly cleaned and sealed by a professional car cleaner at regular intervals. You may not be able to prevent all the wear and tear on your vehicle during the winter months. However, these three simple steps will go a long way in ensuring the longevity of your car.

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May 06, 2022 in Activities in Rochester

Pack the Toyota and Check Out These 4 Amazing State Parks Near Rochester, MN

If you're considering taking a vacation to Minnesota, there are many reasons to visit state parks near Rochester, MN. While it is easy to spend time at one of Rochester's many lakes, it can be fun to get outside and explore the local wilderness. And while there are many natural areas and parks to choose from, including several that are located within the city. Here, we highlight the top four parks in the area. more 4 Amazing State Parks Near Rochester MN To Check Out 1. Blue Mounds State Park If you are looking for a good park near Rochester, Blue Mounds State is a great start. Located on the tallest hill in Luverne, this park has 1,532 acres of natural beauty. Visitors will find over 20-miles of hiking trails, and mountain biking trails. More adventurous travelers can also enjoy rock climbing. At Blue Mounds, adventure awaits you all year round. If you are visiting during the winter, sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing are available. Also, if you are a history buff, you can visit the interpretive center to learn more about the park's history. 2. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is an excellent destination for outdoor recreation. This historic lighthouse is the centerpiece of this 2,200-acre green space. A museum is located in the Lighthouse Keeper's residence. Hiking trails in Split Rock Lighthouse State Park are especially scenic and beautiful during fall foliage. The split rock river trail has many beautiful waterfalls to see. The Superior Hiking Trail takes you upstream in a red gorge and the water below is root beer colored! 3. Itasca State Park Itasca State Park is home to the Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary, established in 1939 on the recommendation of the Minnesota Academy of Science. The sanctuary protects two miles of wilderness shoreline and is home to 18 native plants. This park's forest ecosystem is dominated by fire-dependent white pine and red pine communities. Hiking, fishing, and cross-country skiing are among the popular activities here. A day spent at Itasca State Park is a great way to explore the region. 4. Whitewater State Park Another great park near Rochester is Whitewater State Park. The park is approximately 25 miles east of Rochester and is home to limestone bluffs and a variety of plants and animals. This state park has a wetlands-like landscape and a variety of wildlife and is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Some of the most prominent birds are mars hawk, pileated woodpecker, and great blue heron. It also has a campground, with hundreds of drive-in campsites and four camper cabins. When visiting parks, you need a car that can handle nature's obstacles. From off-road terrain to rainy roads, the 2022 Toyota 4Runner is packed full of features that make it a great choice for any nature enthusiast. The advanced Multi-terrain Selectable 4WD System adds to the vehicle's ability to handle any terrain with ease. After exploring, be sure to stop by Rochester Toyota in Rochester to see the new and used Toyotas we have available.

Apr 15, 2022 in Activities in Rochester

Does Your Toyota Need a Transmission Repair?

Your Toyota's transmission works harder than any other component in your vehicle. This complex piece of engineering is designed to convert the raw power of your engine into polished precision. This conversion of uncontrolled to controlled power is brought about by the system of gears inside the transmission. The constant work and huge amount of parts mean your transmission can suffer damage. If you need a transmission repair, your Toyota dealer in Rochester, MN can help you. more Signs You Need a Transmission Repair at Your Toyota Dealer Strange Sounds From the Transmission When your transmission is working correctly, you won't hear any sound. Buzzing, whining, or clunking sounds from the engine compartment mean that something is malfunctioning. These sounds may not necessarily be related to your transmission, but they do need to be investigated. If you're experiencing strange behavior from the transmission, however, that would be the first place to look. If your automatic transmission is suffering, one of the first signs is a buzzing sound. This sound will grow progressively worse and will turn into an annoying whining sound. The usual cause of this sound is a lack of transmission fluid, but there may be a deeper issue that our technicians will need to check. Clunking sounds are the equivalent of noises made by a manual transmission. Manual transmissions always make harsher sounds than automatic ones. Shaking and Grinding From the Transmission Another early sign of a transmission problem is a shaking feeling with the transmission changing gears. You may notice a slight hesitation between your transmission shifting gears and the new gear engaging. This problem will become worse and more jarring if it's not corrected. Some of the causes are a lack of transmission fluid or a problem with your transmission computer. Manual transmissions are quite rare these days. If you have a manual transmission and experience a grinding sound when you change the gears, there's a transmission problem. Worn gear teeth, a lack of transmission fluid, or a loose transmission or engine mount could cause the noise. Our technicians will diagnose and repair the problem. Transmission Leak The hundreds of constantly moving parts in your engine need to be protected from damaging each other. The purpose of transmission fluid is to lubricate the various parts and provide a friction barrier between them to reduce wear and tear. This fluid also helps to reduce the temperature in transmission and to provide the hydraulic power to allow your gears to shift easily. Transmission fluid, unlike engine oil, is not used up as the transmission works. This fluid is bright or dark red, and a puddle of this fluid under your car means there's a transmission leak. The leak could come from a damaged seal or gasket or a worn transmission pan. Our technicians will trace the source of the leak and fix it. Transmission faults are relatively inexpensive if they're repaired in the early stages of the problem. If you have doubts about your transmission health, call us at Rochester Toyota.

Feb 25, 2022 in Activities in Rochester

Introducing the 2022 Toyota Sienna

Looking for a minivan with outstanding fuel economy? Check out the new 2022 Toyota Sienna! With its spacious, well-equipped cabin, and a long list of convenience items, the new hybrid Sienna stands out among other minivans. more Introducing the 2022 Toyota Sienna New Features for 2022 The Sienna is now hybrid on all models. With excellent fuel economy, the Sienna is great for family outings or commuting. Front-wheel drive is standard on all versions with optional all-wheel drive. Toyota added the Woodland Edition to the Sienna portfolio for 2022. The Woodland has all-wheel drive and accessories designed to make life simpler for adventure seekers, like a roof rack, .6 inches of extra ground clearance, and a 1500-watt power outlet. The Woodland is available in Midnight Black. The Basics and Trim Levels The 2022 Sienna minivan has six trim levels: LE, XLE, Woodland Edition, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. Each trim level is now hybrid with Toyota's standard hybrid powertrain. Second-row captain's seats are standard on the XSE, Limited, and Platinum trims, offering a total seating capacity of seven, with the remaining models seating eight. The mid-level Sienna XSE features a beautiful black metallic grille with 20-inch wheels. With sport-trimmed upholstery, heated seats, and second-row captain's chairs, the XSE is sporty with more luxury features than the LE and XLE trim. The Limited and Platinum include additional features like wireless charging and leather-trimmed seats. Hands-Free Liftgate The Sienna XLE and higher trim levels include a motorized, hands-free liftgate providing easy access to the trunk and all of your gear. Kick your leg, and the Sienna will open the power sliding door and liftgate, making it easy to manage packages with your arms full. Performance The 2022 Sienna is powered by a 2.5-liter gasoline engine, two electric motors, and 243 horsepower. If you opt for the all-wheel-drive version, the vehicle comes with a third electric motor in the rear. Fuel Economy Every Toyota Sienna is a hybrid, so you can expect outstanding fuel economy. Getting around town and saving money is easy on Sienna's EPA-estimated 36 mpg (combined). Roomy Interior The Sienna's cabin is spacious with lots of room for passengers and their gear. The interior includes an expanded center console with a large storage compartment underneath. Cubby holes also provide storage for purses and small items. Even in the third row, there is enough room to move around. The optional second-row captain's chairs can slide forward and back a total of 25 inches to provide maximum legroom for rear-seat passengers. The Limited and Platinum models include the option of reclining second-row seats with built-in ottomans! Infotainment The 2022 Sienna offers a 9.0-inch touchscreen that sits above the climate controls on the dashboard. Equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa, the Sienna also offers a convenient Wi-Fi hotspot and seven USB ports. Safety The new Sienna comes standard with blind-spot monitoring and Toyota's driver-assistance features. Safety features include lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automated emergency braking. The spacious and economical Sienna minivan has the features and technology to get you around town in a snap. Stop by Rochester Toyota to see the new Toyota Sienna and learn about its fantastic features.