Gotta Catch ‘Em All in Edmonton

Best Places to Catch Pokémon Edmonton AB

By now it’s no secret, Pokémon is back and quickly taking over the globe. Anyone who grew up in the nineties most likely had the joy of Pokémon in their lives, whether watching it on television, playing it on their Gameboy or collecting and battling with trading cards. Now, every former Pokémon trainer’s dream has come true: you can catch Pokémon in the real world, thanks to the new augmented reality game Pokémon Go. If you’re playing, then chances are you’re looking for the best places to catch Pokémon in Edmonton AB, and we’re here to help.

[ READ MORE: Other Local News in Edmonton AB ]

Pokémon Gyms

While not the most important aspect of the game, Pokémon Gyms add a whole new level of intricacy to the gameplay. Once you collect your Pokémon, you can head to Pokémon Gyms at real world locations to battle other local players for the right to own the gym. The most interactive aspect of the game, there are tons of gyms around Edmonton, including roughly six around Fort Edmonton Park.

PokéStops

PokéStops are probably the most important locations to remember when playing Pokémon Go. In order to catch Pokémon, you need to have a steady stock of Poké Balls, which you can only get by spending real world money or heading out to one of the many, many PokéStops in the world. Found at real world museums, statues and other landmarks, there are hundreds here in Edmonton, including a huge amount at the University of Alberta.

Pokémon Hot Spots

Pokémon hot spots are the hardest locations to pin down, as spawning is – for the most part – random. But certain rare Pokémon tend to hang around specific locations, and you can find those locations pinned in yellow on the interactive map below. For instance, you’ve got a pretty good chance of finding a Magmar at William Hawrelak Park.

Interactive Pokémon Map Edmonton AB

Keep Your Head Up While you Pokémon Go!

Top Safety Tips for Pokémon Go Players

Chances are, you’ve at the very least heard of the new phenomenon sweeping the nation… better yet, the globe. There’s also a pretty good chance you’ve already laced up your shoes and gone out for a walk to try to find that elusive Pikachu, but the next time you head out the door for the most fun exercise you’ll ever get, we want to make sure you know to keep safe. It might sound silly, but safety is an important concern when playing the new Pokémon Go game, and we’ve got a few top safety tips for Pokémon Go players to follow every time you head out the door.

[READ MORE: Other Local News in Edmonton AB ]

Watch Where You’re Going

The most important thing to do is watch where you’re going. The game’s augmented reality camera is awesome, but it’s not always active, so be sure to lift your eyes from the phone every few seconds to make sure you’re still heading down a safe path. Several people have been catastrophically injured because they weren’t watching where they were going, so keep your eyes up!

No Trespassing

It should go without saying that you cannot trespass on private or restricted property ever, even while trying to catch that rare Pokémon. Don’t go onto anyone’s property without permission, and definitely don’t hop any fences to restricted access locations… especially if the sign says danger!

Stay in Well-Lit Places

Almost everyone knows about Pokémon Go, which means – unfortunately – that some bad people will try to take advantage of it. If you’re going out at night to catch different kinds of Pokémon, make sure to stay in well-lit areas like public parks so that you can see everyone around you.

Don’t Go Out Alone

Once again, it might sound silly, but don’t go out trying to catch ‘em all by yourself. People will be much less likely to try anything if you’ve got a pal around. And don’t worry, the Pokémon group has stated that traveling with someone means more than one of the same Pokémon will pop up so that you can each go hunting together.

Inform Someone Where You’re Going

If you do have to go out by yourself, or even if you’re just going out with one friend, make sure to tell someone else where you’re going and that you’ll check back in when you get home. If you never hit that person up at the end of your journey, they’ll know something has gone wrong much sooner than if you were to just disappear.

All of that said, have fun out there, and good luck trying to catch ‘em all!

How To and How Often to Replace Windshield Wiper Blades

Through the summer months, the heat can really do a number on your windshield wipers. Over time, if they are not replaced, they can begin to leave streaks on your windshield, making it difficult to see. As you already know if you have had streaky wipers, reduced visibility translates to more dangerous driving conditions, which is not something that you ever want. Once you know how to replace your windshield wipers, and realize how easy it is to do, you’ll wonder why you didn’t get rid of those old blades sooner.

Before you start, you’ll want to find out what size wiper blades your car has. Most often, one of the blades is smaller than the other, so just because your driver-side blade is 19-inches, for example, does not mean that you should purchase two 19-inch blades. If you look in your owner’s manual, you will find the length of each blade. You can also find the information on a variety of wiper manufacturer websites.

Steps to Remove and Replace Your Wiper Blades

Remove the old blades

To start off, you’ll want to get those old blades off. There are two different kind of connections, but regardless of the one that your car has, getting them off is easy. If the blades have a hook, you will want to lift the wiper away from the windshield, press the small tab and slide the blade off of the arm by pulling the center of the blade toward the bottom of the arm. If the blades are attached by a small pin on the wiper arm, all you have to do is pull the blade off of the pin.

Attach the new blades

Getting the new set of blades on is just as easy as taking them off. To attach the hook-style wipers, simply move the hook over the plastic clip and pull it tight. It should click, letting you know that the connection is secure. If you have the pin-style blades, simply push the pin through the hole until it clicks. Once in, give it a slight tug to ensure that it is properly fastened.

How Often Should You Replace Your Wipers?

Although most people will stretch their blades for a year, it’s best to change them every six months, or as soon as you start to notice a different in driving visibility. The best times to change them is typically when fall starts, and when spring begins. As we mentioned, summer heat compromises the integrity of your blades, which is why it’s best to change them when the temperature drops. When spring begins is the other best time to change them as the constant moisture and salt from winter also does damage.

If you need help changing your wiper blades, we encourage you to get in touch with our service department here at Wheaton Toyota on the Trail. Our service team can help to get those old, streaky blades off, and to get some fresh rubber on your windshield. If you feel confident that you can do the job yourself, we still encourage you to pay us a visit as we sell windshield wipers on site here and can help you to find the sizes you need.

5 Common Reasons Why Your Car Brakes Are Squealing

Not only are squeaky car brakes annoying, they’re also a cause for serious concern. When drivers hear their brakes start to squeak, it can spark a worry that the vehicle’s brakes may not be in the best condition. But, not all brake squeaks are a reason to fret. To help you better understand what’s going on beneath your wheels, here are 5 common reasons why your car brakes are squealing.

1. Moisture:

If you are getting squeaky brakes in the early morning or after a rain storm when water can get on them, it’s likely completely normal. Sometimes a thin film of rust can accumulate in these conditions, as well, which the brake pads will wipe off as you start using them.

2. Hard Braking:

Another form of brake squealing occurs when you brake too hard. If you have a habit of slamming on your brakes, you might need to get used to hearing the occasional squeak. Try giving your brakes a rest and applying your brakes slowly, which should fix your problem.

3. Worn Out Pads:

Unlike the two causes mentioned above, worn out brake pads are a cause for concern, even though they are designed to squeak. When brake pads wear to the point of needing replacement, the wear indicators will start to squeal as a way of warning you that they’re on their last leg. Order new brake pads for your Toyota

4. Glazing:

Glazing occurs when brake calipers get stuck and cause the brakes to remain applied just partially. The friction from this contact can generate heat that causes the brake pads to harden. When all these hard materials make contact, squeaking can occur.

5. Insufficient Lubrication:

Like many other parts of your vehicle, your brakes need lubrication to function normally. When this lubrication is lost or not applied, you’re likely to hear quite a bit of squealing.

Find more must-know service tips here

What to Do When Your Car Brakes Are Squeaking

If you’re hearing your car brakes squealing, the first step is to determine whether or not it is a serious problem. If the brakes only seem to squeak when they’re wet, there is likely little reason to be concerned, as long as the sound quickly goes away. If your brakes continuously squeal and the problem doesn’t seem to get any better, use our list above to try to determine what the cause might be. In the end, however, your best bet is to contact a professional service technician to diagnose the problem.

Schedule a service appointment for brake diagnosis and repair

Although these 5 common reasons why your car brakes are squealing isn’t a complete list, you should be able to narrow down the cause of this unpleasant and concerning sound. If you have further questions, feel free to contact us at Toyota on the Trail.

Safety Tips for Keeping your Children Safe This Summer

Make Sure Your Kids Are Ready for Summer Travel

Summer is upon us, which means the season packed full of road trips and vacations is here. With that in mind, we thought now would be the perfect time to tell you how to make sure your kids are ready for summer travel. Of course, with that, we mean make sure your kids are safe and secure within your vehicle, which is important even if you aren’t planning on hitting the road this summer. So follow the steps below to insure your children’s safety.

[ READ MORE: Toyota Safety Packages in Canada ]

5 Tips for Child Safety in Automobiles

Inch Test & Pinch Test: After putting your child in their car seat, it is important to perform both of these tests. First, pinch the strap near the child’s shoulder. If the strap wrinkles, it isn’t tight enough, so tighten it up and repeat until it is snug with their shoulder. Then grab the seat as a whole and try to wiggle it around in the car. If it moves more than an inch in any direction, it needs to be tightened. Rinse & repeat both tests until everything is set!
No Extra Layers: Sometimes you might think it would be a good idea to place towels or something similar between your child and their car seat, but that could actually have negative consequences in that the seat may not be able to function to the best of its abilities.
Cool Off: If the interior cabin is a little too hot, the car seat might get hot to the touch. Just give the car a bit of extra time to cool off before situating your child in their seat, so that they don’t get too hot or burn themselves on the plastic. And remember, never leave your child unattended in a vehicle, especially on a hot summer day.
Do Not Rent: Never rent a car seat, even if you are renting a vehicle. Bring your own car seat with you to insure your child remains as safe as possible throughout the vacation, as you don’t know the rented car seats history or, perhaps, how to properly use it.
No Loose Items: Make sure that everything is secured to the floor or seats in some fashion, so that nothing could possibly become a projectile in the event of an abrupt stopping or even an accident.

Hopefully these steps help you prepare for your summer trips and keeping your kids safe. Remember that a vehicle with Toyota Safety Sense equipped will do a much better job at keeping you and your kids safe thanks to its numerous, advanced safety features. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

[ READ MORE: Toyota TSS-P Safety package Technology Award ]

How can you teach your kids to drive early?

Here in Alberta, your kids can start with the learner’s permit at 14 years of age. But perhaps it might be a good idea to start teaching safety and good habits even before then. Plenty of parents are worried about the day their children will finally get behind the wheel of a car by themselves, so you might be asking how you can teach your kids to drive early. Well we can certainly think of one answer: kartSTART Presented by Toyota.

What is kartSTART?

2016 will be the sixth year that the kartSTART program, which is sponsored and supported by Toyota Canada Inc., tours Canada. This year they’ve added four new stops to their nationwide tour, now stopping in 10 different locations around the country, including Red Deer, Alberta on July 8^th and 9^th, and – a little closer to home – in Nisku, Alberta at the Castrol Raceway on July 5^th and 6^th.

So, what exactly is kartSTART? At its core, it is a way for kids to get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle and start building driving skills and awareness to make sure they have the best habits once they actually get behind the wheel. If you haven’t figured it out from the title, the motor vehicles are just go-karts, but they’re custom built to make the lessons the most impactful. They’ll attend one-on-one learning sessions, developing early skills that will make them better, smarter and safer drivers when the time finally comes.

“Driving is a learned talent, and the more you practice, the better you’ll get at it. This year we will reach more Canadian youth in more cities than ever before, and continue to build on the nearly 5,000 youth that have participated in our programs. With distracted and impaired driving at an all-time high, and a lack of understanding of the true responsibility of operating a motor vehicle by young drivers, anything we can do to establish a strong foundation of responsible and safe driving habits in a fun way is beyond rewarding.”

– Russ Bond, Founder, kartSTART presented by Toyota

We’re excited for kartSTART to make its way here to the Edmonton area, and if you’ve got any eligible kids make sure you enroll them in the classes so that you can teach your kids to drive early too! Then, once the time comes, we’ve got plenty of new and used vehicles to browse.

kartSTART is a part of the #TowardsTomorrow by Toyota interactive gallery – Square One, Mississauga. #kartSTART2016 pic.twitter.com/2SBCY6DtOz

— kartSTART.ca (@kartSTARTca) March 3, 2016

Don’t forget your vehicle when spring cleaning this year!

Spring Cleaning Tips for the Car

While we don’t want to jinx anything, it finally seems like winter is over. Not only does that mean it’s time to start wearing shorts and tank tops, but it means it’s springtime, and with springtime comes spring cleaning. But after you’re finished cleaning up the house and the garage and getting your yardwork done, make sure to add your vehicle to the list because some people for getting. We’ve got a few spring cleaning tips for the car, because you need to give it some love after that harsh Canadian winter.

Automotive Spring Cleaning Checklists

When it comes to spring cleaning for the car, you can either take them term literally or just utilize this as the best time to take care of your car overall. While it’s obviously a good idea to give your vehicle a deep, deep clean to get all of the salt and other winter debris off and out of it, it’s just important to make sure everything came out of the winter 100%.

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[wrc_column grid=”2″ width=”1″ type=”start”]What we mean by that, is you should use this time to get most of your annual service done. The checklist below includes the things we think you should have checked, which we can do for you here in our service department.

Battery
Plugs & Wires
Tire Pressure
Belts & Hoses
Brakes
Suspension
Alignment
Fluid Levels
Air Filter
Windshield Wipers

[/wrc_column][wrc_column grid=”2″ width=”1″ type=”end”]But as we said, you should still give your car a good cleaning both inside and out. You can utilize this second checklist to make sure you hit all of the important areas.

Carpet
Upholstery
Floor Mats
Dashboard
Center Console
Windows
Trunk
Full Exterior Body
Wheels
Engine Bay (Note: Do not try to wash, just clean out debris)

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Top it all off with a good waxing, and your vehicle will appear good as new in no time! If you have any questions about the services we’ve listed here, about how to wash your car, or if you’re interested in just getting a new vehicle altogether, don’t hesitate to give us a call here at the shop. Happy spring cleaning!

How does Adaptive Cruise Control work?

It’s the last Thursday of the month, which means it’s time for March’s final Special Feature, where we take a more in-depth look into one of the new technologies or features available in vehicles today. This week we’re keeping with recent themes by analyzing another driver-assistive safety feature designed to deliver an extra sense of confidence any time you get behind the wheel. So without further ado, we’re going to dive right into how Adaptive Cruise Control works, and detail exactly what it is in Toyota vehicles.

[ LAST WEEK: How does Forward Collision Warning Work? ]

Essentially, Adaptive Cruise Control – or ACC – is taking normal cruise control a step further. If you’ve had a vehicle equipped with cruise before, then you know it lets you set a cruising speed so that you don’t have to constantly keep your foot on the pedal. ACC adds an extra step by letting you set your desire following distance. Once that following distance is set, then not only will Adaptive Cruise Control keep you at your desired speed, but it will apply pressure to the brakes if your set following distance starts to lessen.

Sometimes ACC pairs with a forward collision prevention system to not just slow you down, but stop the vehicle completely in the event of an unavoidable emergency. However, as always, Adaptive Cruise Control is not substitute for your best judgment. Make sure to still keep a watchful eye on the road, and always remain aware of your surroundings.

What is Toyota Dynamic Radar Cruise Control?

Earlier this month we took a broader look at the new Toyota Safety Sense suite of features as a whole. You might have noticed that a feature called Adaptive Cruise Control wasn’t on the list, but instead something called Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. In truth, the two features are essentially identical, Toyota simply likes to put their own name on things. So whenever you see a vehicle with Toyota Safety Sense standard or available, or if you see the feature Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, just know that ACC comes equipped.

If you’re interested in finding out which vehicles feature Adaptive Cruise Control – or Dynamic Radar Cruise Control for Toyota vehicles – feel free to give us a call right here at the Wheaton Toyota on the Trail sales desk. We can’t wait to help you find the perfect vehicle.

How does Forward Collision Warning work?

The advanced technologies and features found in vehicles today continue to astonish. While they might not be a substitute for your best judgment or guarantee 100% that you will avoid collision, they definitely reduce the risk tenfold delivering an extra sense of confidence to anyone behind the wheel. One of the features that does that perhaps more than most, is the fairly new Forward Collision Warning.

[ LAST WEEK: How does Vehicle Stability Control work? ]

Forward Collision Warning utilizes radars, sensors and cameras on the front of your vehicle to scan the area in front of you. If the system detects an imminent collision with a vehicle driving slower than you, or stopped, it will alert you by sending visual or audible warnings – or sometimes both. It is then your job to step on the brakes and make sure you stop in time. Working in conjunction with a system like Automatic Emergency Braking, FCW can help prevent or at least reduce the impact of collisions.

What is the Toyota Pre-Collision System?

A few days ago we a slightly more in-depth look at the brand-new Toyota Safety Sense program being installed in newer Toyota vehicles. You might have noticed that Forward Collision Warning was nowhere to be found, but that’s actually just because Toyota gave it a different name. Enter the Pre-Collision System, or PCS for short. PCS is just the fancy name for the combination of Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking. Not only does the PCS system alert you to an imminent collision, it’ll help you prevent it by applying brake pressure.

If you’re interested in finding out which vehicles feature Forward Collision Warning – or the Pre-Collision System for Toyota – feel free to give us a call right here at Wheaton Toyota on the Trail. We’d be happy to help you find the right vehicle!

How does Vehicle Stability Control work?

As you may know, every Thursday here on the Wheaton Toyota on the Trail blog we take a more in-depth look into one of the awesome features that are either standard or available in most of today’s vehicles. Considering it’s Thursday, that means it’s time to take a look at another one, and this week we’re looking at Vehicle Stability Control, or as it is known for other manufacturers: Electronic Stability Control. Unlike most of the safety features we’ve been looking at lately, the driver doesn’t have to do anything to make VSC work, it’s just always on and ready to jump into action.

[ LAST WEEK: How does Rear Cross Traffic Alert work? ]

What is VSC?

Vehicle Stability Control is a passive safety feature that – as we mentioned – doesn’t need anything from the driver. As soon as you turn your vehicle on, VSC turns on as well, and it will constantly be on the lookout for situations it needs to correct. In short, VSC helps to keep you on the correct path, helping to prevent you from spinning out our even rolling over. Rick & Scout’s video at the bottom of this blog will be able to better depict that, but before you watch that we’ll go over how the system works in a bit more detail.

VSC – or ESC if you’re interested in a non-Toyota vehicle – works to make sure you aren’t oversteering or understeering. If they system detects that your vehicle is doing either of these things without you wanting to do them, it will automatically kick in and work to correct the situation by braking individual wheels while reducing the speed.

In other words, in an automobile without Vehicle Stability Control if you hit a patch of rain and start to skid you might try to turn your steering wheel to correct, and that might cause your back end to spin out in a direction you didn’t intend it to. VSC will fix the situation, making sure your back axle stays where it should be and preventing you from spinning or flipping.

If you’d like to know more about how the system works, or which Toyota vehicles comes equipped with Vehicle Stability Control, don’t hesitate to give us a call here at Wheaton Toyota on the Trail. We can’t wait to see you in the driver’s seat of a brand new vehicle.