Inspired by rally cars, and built with high performance driving in mind, the Toyota GR Corolla has built a solid fanbase amidst race fans and performance enthusiasts. A 300-horsepower turbocharged engine, All Wheel Drive aggressive stance, and sporty styling made it one of the most sought after hot hatches. Fans got their first glimpse of the impressive Toyota GR Corolla last year in 2022 at Laguna Seca when it was named official pace car for the 2022 NASA National Championships. This year, the vehicle is delivering an encore performance after being named the pace car for 2023.
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Women’s Equality day is celebrated in commemoration of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, which awarded women the right to vote in 1878. In 1971, Congress deemed August 26th would be henceforth Women’s Equality Day. We’re going to share 5 mini profiles on notable women who pioneered the automotive industry from driving to design to engineering, and highlight some big names in racing. And stick around to the end to check out some great YouTube Videos of notable women in the automotive industry who are disrupting the status quo and changing the game!
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There’s nothing we love more than hitting the open road and taking in the gorgeous landscapes and scenery that sprawl across US highways and byways. Today, we’re exploring the iconic North Shore Scenic Drive, also known as Highway 61, which stretches from Duluth, Minnesota up through to the Canadian Border!
Running along the coast of Lake Superior, you’ll find no shortage of absolutely breathtaking pine forests, rocky cliffs, lakeside wildlife, and so much more. So let’s check it out and plan our getaway itinerary together!
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Today we’re exploring another great road trip opportunity, this time highlighting the Nebraska Sandhills National Scenic Byway (which is so beloved it has its own trip planning app!) Virtually untouched by development or human interference, this gorgeous byway is rife with scenic dune landscapes, rolling native grasses, sparkling blue lakes and streams, and incredible wildlife and ecosystems.
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Today is National Roller Coaster Day! Being car people, we understand the rush of new adventures and the need for speed, and that’s why today’s post is dedicated to some of the best amusement parks and coaster destinations in the Midwest, United States. Coaster aficionados will scour the land to find the best fix of adrenaline rush from the drops, spins, dips, and twirls, and are always looking for better, faster, stronger thrills. Folks who love coasters will tell you that it brings them unparalleled joy, excitement, happiness, and satisfaction. And we can’t say we blame ‘em! So let’s hit the road to fun and adventure and check ‘em out on today’s blog.
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Here at Classic Toyota, nothing means more to us than supporting our community and giving back to our neighbors!
This August, we are pleased to announce that we’re continuing our mission to increase our outreach efforts and participate in even more charitable community support. Our dealership will be participating in the Kids in Need Foundation and Toyota Motor North America partnership and their “August Big Summer Giveback” Event.
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Today is Mountain Day! Instead of giving you a list of destinations near and far, we’re going to help you get ready to take the road less traveled with these great service tips to prep your vehicle for mountain roadways instead! Let’s look at how to get our vehicles in tip-top shape for those challenging steep slopes and death defying curves.
Have you recently gone on a journey ascending or descending from a mountain summit? Let our readers know your experience and tips and tricks in the comments!
Bring your car in for a tuneup before you hit the road. Be sure to have your fluids changed and topped off, tires rotated and balanced, an engine tune-up, brakes checked, and that your tires are properly inflated to pressure. Taking preemptive measures for a service appointment before you embark on your mountain travel will save you time, money, and aggravation in the long run.
Prepare for emergencies with a fully stocked emergency kit. Be sure to stock up your spare emergency kit with first aid supplies, a tire patch kit, battery charger, emergency flashlights, road salt and/or gravel, a spare shovel, shelf stable food and water, warm clothing, various tools and safety gear for fixing flats and vehicle maintenance. You can purchase a fully loaded kit online, or assemble your own.
Be prepared to tackle mountain roads. Driving up and down mountains and navigating the bends and dips on the route can really keep you guessing. Be ready for anything, and take extra caution. Stay on your side of the road, and leave a little extra room between you and the vehicle in front of you; don’t tailgate or pass anyone on blind curves! You’ll want to be prepared for sudden stops and short braking. Look out for dirt and debris on the roadways, and potential hazards like water, mud, and snow. Make sure to engage your parking brake when you’re pulling over to the side of the road to take in the view or if there’s an emergency, and place some rocks behind your tires to help prevent rolling back downhill. If drivers behind you become impatient, it’s better to pull over to the side and let them pass so you can maintain proper speed.
Keep your eyes peeled for special signage. Mountain roadways present additional hazards than your average residential or city street. Make sure that you keep an eye out for animal crossings, as well as any steep graded roads, flooding areas, boulders or rocks falling, and other unpredictable foils of nature.
Bring a Map and prepare for low-signal on GPS and SmartPhones. In this modern day and age, it’s all too easy to rely on our technology to do the navigation work for us. However, when driving up and down mountains and tucked away roadways, we’ll need to rely on manual navigation in case we lose reception. Make sure you carry a local atlas and road map so you can plot your route before you leave, and refer to it to find alternate routes if need be on the fly with no reception to magically get you through. It can also help to have a physical compass to denote the direction of your path, and help orient your spot on the map.
Save your brakes and your engine from overworking. If you notice your car is struggling to make it up a steep incline, shift your vehicle into a lower gear to allow you to maintain constant speed. If you need to brake frequently, pull over if you smell any questionable burning aromas; this will prevent you from burning out the brakes or getting into an accident. Keep cool by rolling your windows down and turning off the AC to prevent overheating from making your engine work double time; likewise, if you notice it overheating you can blast the vehicle’s heat system to draw heat away from the engine until you can safely pull over. Let your car rest at the summit or idle for a short period, allowing it to cool off and reducing the strain.
Back to School Car Maintenance Tips for Students
Schools are starting back up in just a few short days, so we thought it would be a great time to give student drivers a chance to get their first A+ of the school year. Here’s some essential car maintenance tips for young drivers as they head back to class! School your friends over cafeteria snacks with your amazing wisdom in all things automotive.
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The school year is just around the corner, but that doesn’t mean the fun and adventure has to stop! Today is National Book Lovers Day, so we’re celebrating the only way we know how: with incredible reading picks for your last blast of summer weekend getaway (or perhaps stacking your “TBR Pile” for the upcoming autumnal months!) Whether you prefer to stow your books in an eReader for stolen glances while navigating as co-pilot, or you are the resident driver of the trip and prefer audiobooks, we know there’s something for you on our list. So without further ado, let’s check it out and see if we can get on the same page as you by selecting some reading picks!
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It’s finally here! The legendary Toyota Land Cruiser made its worldwide debut on August 1st with an all-new facelift and update for modern day living. First introduced to the US market in 1958, Toyota’s longest-running nameplate has taken a three-year hiatus from the North American Market, but now it’s back and better than ever! From the two-door 40 series with its fold-down front windshield, white roof, and rear jump seats to the fully loaded 200 series, the last generation to be sold in the US, the Land Cruiser is back and better than ever to prove that strength and luxury are a match made in heaven.
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