It’s certainly not new that Toyota is having problems with their vehicles. Week after week the mainstream media seems to come out with a new “update,” much of it simply quoting old news. Let’s take a look at the facts regarding the Toyota recalls and useful information for owners of these vehicles.

The first set of recalls started with what is termed the Floor Mat Recall. In this recall Toyota determined that the gas pedals in some of their vehicles were getting hung up with the floor mats on the front driver’s side, causing unintended acceleration. The next recall was the Gas Pedal Recall. After depressing the gas pedal in some vehicles, it did not completely return to its original position. Next came the Prius/HS250h hybrid ABS Braking Recall, prompted by owners who complained that their ABS brakes felt like they weren’t working adequately. And finally, there is a minor recall of some Tacoma pickups for faulty front driveshafts on 4WD vehicles. There is also an investigation being launched into Corollas for malfunctioning power steering, but there is no recall to date.

Floor Mat Recall

Vehicles involved in the floor mat recall include (info from Toyota’s website):

• 2005-2010 Avalon
• 2007-2010 Camry
• 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2008-2010 Highlander
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2004-2009 Prius
• 2005-2010 Tacoma
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2009-2010 VENZA
• 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe

Owners of vehicles covered by the floor mat recall should take out any removable driver’s floor mat and not replace it with any other floor mat until they receive the vehicle-based remedy.

After you receive a notification from Toyota that the recall remedy for your vehicle is available, you should take your vehicle to an authorized Toyota dealer. Dealer personnel have been specially trained to implement the following vehicle-based remedy:
Toyota service techs will either modify or replace the accelerator pedals on the subject vehicles to address the risk of floor mat entrapment, even when an older-design all weather floor mat or other inappropriate mat is improperly attached, or is placed on top of another floor mat. Floor surface modifications are also being considered and will be included in the remedy plan for any model for which it is deemed appropriate. For the Camry and Avalon models involved, the shape of the floor surface underneath will also be reconfigured to increase the space between the accelerator pedal and the floor.

Gas Pedal Recall

Toyota discovered that there was a problem with excessive friction buildup on the bottom of the gas pedal of certain vehicles. This condition can cause the gas pedal to stick and, in some instances, not return completely to the original position after being depressed. This recall is in full swing.

Toyota’s accelerator pedal recall is confined to the following Toyota Division vehicles (info from Toyota’s website):

• Certain 2009-2010 RAV4
• Certain 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2005-2010 Avalon
• Certain 2007-2010 Camry
• Certain 2010 Highlander
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2008-2010 Sequoia

No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by this recall action. Also not affected are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser and Highlander hybrids and Camry hybrids. Highlander hybrids and Camry hybrids are not involved in this action. Further, Camry, RAV4, Corolla and Highlander vehicles with VINs that begin with “J” are not involved.

If you have noticed that your accelerator pedal is hard to depress, slow to return, or is not smooth during operation, the vehicle should be stopped at the nearest safe location, the engine shut off and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance.

What if you experience a sticking accelerator pedal while driving?

Each circumstance may vary, and drivers must use their best judgment, but Toyota recommends taking one of the following actions:

If you need to stop immediately, the vehicle can be controlled by stepping on the brake pedal with both feet using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brake pedal as it will deplete the vacuum utilized for the power brake assist. Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine. If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button. If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition as this will lock the steering wheel.

Prius/HS250h ABS Brake Recall

(as it appears on Toyota’s website)

Toyota Announces Voluntary Recall on 2010 Model-Year Prius and 2010 Lexus HS 250h Vehicles to Update ABS Software

TORRANCE, Calif., February 8, 2010 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc, today announced it will conduct a voluntary safety recall on approximately 133,000 2010 Model Year Prius vehicles and 14,500 Lexus Division 2010 HS 250h vehicles to update software in the vehicle’s anti-lock brake system (ABS). No other Toyota, Lexus, or Scion vehicles are involved in this recall.

The ABS, in normal operation, engages and disengages rapidly (many times per second) as the control system senses and reacts to tire slippage. Some 2010 model year Prius and 2010 HS 250h owners have reported experiencing inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady application of brakes on rough or slick road surfaces when the ABS is activated in an effort to maintain tire traction.

Toyota has responded to owner concerns with a running production change for 2010 Prius that was introduced last month, improving the ABS system’s response time, as well as the system’s overall sensitivity to tire slippage. The production change for the HS 250h is planned for later this month.

The recall will allow Toyota dealers to perform the software update on 2010 Prius vehicles sold prior to this running production change. Only Prius vehicles produced since May 2009 and all HS 250h vehicles are subject to this recall. First- and second-generation Prius vehicles use a different ABS system and are not involved in this campaign. The ABS system on the Lexus HS 250h is similar in design to the Prius. The software adjustment planned for HS 250h production and dealer modification is being finalized and will be announced very soon. Toyota will begin mailing letters to Prius owners included in this recall next week and HS 250h owners within the next few weeks, to let them know when to bring their vehicles into a dealership. Owners will only receive a letter if their vehicle is involved in the recall.

Are Toyota and Lexus bad cars?

I say a hearty NO! The Toyota Motor Company’s reputation is built on a foundation of quality and safety. I believe it is still the basis of the company today and Toyota is moving swiftly to address these issues. The bottom line? It is still a fine car in spite of the recent problems. Toyota will make good on the faulty cars and will rebound as a safety and quality leader again in an effort to regain market dominance. Quite frankly, I think now is a great time to buy a Toyota. Last week, according to Kelly Blue Book, Toyota pricing had dropped an average of 4% across the board. This means a savings of $350 to $700, in addition to the 0% financing (which you never saw until now for a Toyota product). And look for other incentives in the near future to entice buyers back into the showrooms. As I see it, there will be some pretty good deals out there for some fine automobiles.

Well, that’s pretty much the skinny on the Toyota recalls. Call your local Toyota dealer with your VIN number so they can input it into Toyota’s database to see if your vehicle is involved in any of these actions. Or you can go online to: Pressroom.Toyota.com and you will find updates as they come hot off the press. Hope this helps clear things up a bit.

For more articles by Tom Torbjornsen, visit AMERICA’S CAR SHOW web site: www.americascarshow.com

Tom Torbjornsen is an automotive expert of 37 years. An automotive journalist in good standing with the IMPA (International Motor Press Association), Torbjornsen is the Repair and Maintenance Editor for AOL Autos, Edmunds.Com, At Home Portals and many other websites. Torbjornsen is the auto expert of record for Channel 4 WIVB TV, Western New York’s CBS affiliate. Hear his radio show AMERICA’S CAR SHOW, on the Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel – Stars Too – Sirius 108 and XM 139; Sunday nights – 10PM – Mid EST. Send your car questions to his website at: www.americascarshow.com

After all, those fuel costs are edging up every day, and the idea of being able to stretch gas dollars is very intriguing.

Well, perhaps you need to consider a few more factors than just the price you pay at the gas pump when you fill a tank. There is more to owning a hybrid car than just having the coolest looking ride and higher gas mileage.

Pros of Hybrid Car Ownership

• On the plus side, hybrids give you the ability to shake your green banner in front of the world. These cars create almost no pollution and they definitely help shake at least a little of that reliance on fossil fuels.
• These cars can squeeze every drop of gasoline until it sneezes and you can double your normal gas mileage.
• There are some good tax breaks available for purchasers of some hybrid car models.
• Even car insurance companies will often cut you a deal when you drive one of these eco-friendly cars.
• Some models like the Toyota Prius simply look so adorably chic that just owning one makes you the envy of the neighborhood.

Cons of Hybrid Car Ownership

• These cars can cost much more than many of the traditional gas engine models, and as gas prices climb you can expect to see the sticker price do the same.
• It can be difficult to find mechanics to work on these models if you have a problem and are not near a larger city.
• Remember how easy it was to jumpstart your old car; well this does not hold true with the hybrid models. In other words, do not attempt to work on your hybrid at home, under any conditions.
• The tax rebates that were offered as incentives have limitations that everyone should be aware of. This is a gift horse that you need to look in the mouth, several times.
• Maintenance costs can be higher than those for a standard gas powered car.
• Many of the hybrids are still in short supply and you might be sitting in a rocking chair before you are able to buy the one you want.
• These cars are not made for speed and endurance, so if you have a heavy foot and tend to neglect routine auto maintenance it can be a problem. Of course, this kind of behavior can be a big problem with gas engine cars too.
• These cars may be great for people in the city, but for people who are commuting long distances on a daily basis, there could be problems. The electric motors have to be recharged sometime in order to function properly.

The decision is yours and you need to weigh all of the factors involved before signing your name on the dotted line. Hybrids can save you money in gas costs, but only you can decide if it all balances out at the end.

Warranty Direct offers extended warranties on hybrid cars. Call today for your free quote – 1-800-632-4222.

Our cars will be mostly electric, or solar-powered, or will run on biofuels. We’re not there yet, but there are still steps you can take to green up your driving experience.

The first, most effective thing you can do while we are still in the thrall of OPEC is ease up on the gas pedal. You’ll use less gas if you accelerate and brake gently whenever you’re driving. On the highway, keep your speed at 55 mph. Fuel efficiency peaks between 35 and 55 mph. You will literally lose only a few minutes reaching your destination, but your gas bill will decrease. You will also use less gas if you empty your trunk regularly—extra weight increases your gas burn.

Own that high occupancy vehicle lane on the freeway! When the HOV lanes opened up years ago, people laughed about them. Everyone pretty much preferred to maintain their independence and ride alone. But it’s time to post a notice on the bulletin board at work for a carpool.

Besides carpooling, you really can decrease the number of miles you travel. Plan your route for your daily errands. Ask your neighbor if you can pick up a few things for him at the store; eventually perhaps the two of you can save each other some trips. Use your bicycle or walk if possible.

If your car was manufactured in 1999 or later, you might have a “flex-fuel” vehicle, which means possibly you can fill it with E85 ethanol instead of gasoline. Visit E85fuel.com to find out if your car is one of them, and also for a list of fuel stations that supply this blend of ethanol and gasoline. Besides reducing our dependence on gasoline, E85 means less hydrocarbon and benzene products released into the atmosphere, and carbon dioxide emissions are reduced. Ethanol also has a greater solubility in water than does gasoline.

Take your car to a green automotive service station for routine maintenance and service. Many dealership and franchise service suppliers are utilizing recycled solvents and water-based cleaners. They service your car with an eye to maximizing fuel efficiency. They look for low-energy methods to operate their business, and they recycle byproducts to preserve water tables. Look for a place like this in your area.

If you are buying a car, don’t buy something bigger than you need. Do your part to put the days of gas-guzzling muscle vehicles behind us. Kits to convert your car to electric via lithium battery are available for $10,000, cost prohibitive at this time.

But keep your eyes on the news as green technology progresses; the prices will spiral downward as we approach the future.

Warranty Direct offers extended warranties for the new green hybrid cars on the market. Contact us today for a free quote. We offer payment plans on extended car warranties, too, so you can more easily budget your expenses.

Vehicle choices that merge two or more sources of power are identified as hybrid vehicles. The most familiar is the electric hybrid, which melds a gasoline engine with an electric setup (electric motor, charging system, and a battery/storage system).

The two main types of hybrids on the market now are called “series” or “parallel” hybrids. Series hybrids are also referred to as “mild” or “partial” hybrids, while parallel hybrids are often called “full” hybrids.

In a series hybrid, an electric motor helps the gasoline engine when considered necessary, such as during acceleration or periods of heavy load, but it cannot run the car by itself. The batteries that power the electric motor can be recharged by the engine, or during deceleration (called regenerative braking). Examples of series hybrids are the Saturn Vue Green Line and Honda Civic Hybrid.

Parallel hybrids can use comparable recharging principles, however they can be powered by the gasoline engine only, the electric motor only, or both concurrently. Examples of parallel hybrids include the Toyota Prius, Nissan Altima Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, and GM’s new Tahoe/Yukon hybrid SUVs.

If you’ve been wondering if extended vehicle warranties will cover a hybrid car or SUV, the answer is yes, they do. In fact, you can get an instant online extended car warranty quote right now on your hybrid to find out just how much it would cost you.