Toyota's Logo: The Original Design

Founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda, Toyota's first production vehicle to feature the original logo was the model AA. But, Toyota wasn't always named Toyota, back in the beginning of its automotive empire, Toyota was originally named Toyoda after the founder's family name. It's emblem wasn't the three ellipses version that is world renowned, but the founder's family name written in Japanese characters inside a circle. The emblem was chosen from a public design competition our of more than 200 entries. This logo was remained until a new design competition in the 1980's changed the logo into the version we know and love today.

Fall Car Maintenance Tip: Listen to your Brakes.

Checking your vehicles brakes should be more than routine, especially during winter. Pay attention when braking to make sure they aren't making any strange noises, such as scraping or grinding, or that the brake pedal doesn't feel spongy or soft when depressed. If either of those issues arise, it van make braking difficult and driving dangerous. 

If your vehicles brake pedal feels spongy or soft it could mean that there is too much air in the brake line and can easily be remedied by bleeding the brakes yourself.

On the other hand, if you hear your brakes making a grinding noise or scarping sound, it could mean that there is some kind of foreign object stuck in them or that the wear indicator is rubbing against the rotor. If you hear any noise that usually means the friction material on your brakes has worn off and the only thing stopping your car is the metal backing plate. If let unchecked, it could damage critical parts of your brakes and make it difficult to stop.  

Before winter hits, if you're experiencing any of the aforementioned issues, be sure to stop by our certified service center and have one of our technicians check your vehicles brakes for you. 

Haunted Highways: Clinton Road in West Milford, New Jersey

The town of West Milford, New Jersey appears to be your typical American town. People live, work, go to school; live their day-to-day lives without any interruption. Except, for one; Clinton Road in West Milford. This desolate stretch of dark highway, encased in thick forest, is home to a dark, bloody history.  The ten-mile stretch of road wont just chill you to the bone, but make you question what you see. With reports of ghosts, phantom vehicles, and strange creatures being seen on or beside the road, one only knows what could happen. While the eyewitnesses to these ghostly tales are few and fare between, would you be willing to take a late night drive to prove them wrong?

How to Make Wicked Witch Stuffed Potatoes

For a delicious treat that screams Halloween, try these rich and cheesy potatoes. Not only will they cast a spell on you, but they could scare up some undead visitors . 

Ingredients:

• 2 large baked potatoes
• 1/4 cup of milk
• 3 ounces swiss cheese, shredded.
• 4 grape tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 slices of ripe olives
• 4 small Serrano peppers
• 4 green pepper strips
• 4 blue corn chips.

Directions:

1. Scrub and pierce potatoes. Bake at 375° for 1 hour or until tender.
2. When potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out pulp, leaving a thin shell. In a small bowl, mash the pulp. Stir in 1/2 cup cheese, milk, butter and salt. Spoon into potato shells. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
3. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 375° for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
4. Using the tomato halves, olive slices, serrano peppers and pepper strips, create a face on each potato half. Add corn chip hats. 

Don't "Fall" Behind in Your Vehilces Maintenance

Preventative maintenance on your vehicle can you time and money when the seasons begin to change. As the days get shorter and the nights get longer it is important to prepare for the changes in the weather. To keep cash in your pocket it is pertinent to perform routine maintenance on your vehicle before the seasons begin to change. Seasonal car care planning and preventative maintenance can save you money and time as the weather changes. Follow these simple maintenance tips for early fall to keep your vehicle running smoothly all the way to winter.












1. Check Fluids: Your vehicles fluids are it's life blood, which means keeping them topped off  and up-to-date is crucial to the health of your vehicle. In order to keep your vehicle running smoothly, be sure to top off your vehicles brake fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, and be sure to change your vehicle oil if it starts to get old and corroded. 



2. Brake-Check: If fluids are you vehicles life blood then brakes would be its immune system, protecting it from damage and keeping it safe. In order to prevent your brakes from failing, be sure to have your vehicles brake pads and rotors checked according to what it says in your vehicles owner manual. Without brake checks, you could potential damage your vehicles rotors and pads, which will not only cost you more money but could generate serious problems with your vehicle in the future.

So remember, before you "Fall" behind, be sure to check the aforementioned items of your proverbial to-do list. Your car will thank you for it in the long run.

Halloween Safety Tips: Costume 101

It's that time of year again fans- Halloween! While Halloween is a time to dress up and eat tons of candy, it can also be a time where parents relax the rules. While letting your kids dress up in costumes may seem harmless, there are a few rules to keep in mind for the little ones to prevent injury.

• Make sure the costume fits correctly. If the costume is to long or large it could cause your child to trip and fall.
• Try to decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers to improve the childs viability to passerby.  
• If you child insists on wearing a face make-up or paint, make sure it's non-toxic and will not cause an allergic reaction. 
• Make sure your child has a flashlight or glow-stick to make them more visible to drivers while walking the neighborhood streets. 

If you follow these steps you should reduce your child's risk of injury for a fun and uneventful Halloween night.

Hammer for Habitat for Humanity

This Saturday, September 28th come out and support Morristowns Habitat for Humanity during its first Annual Hammer for Habitat event! Starting at 9:00am and going until noon, this fun event is perfect for all ages and allows families or individuals to help raise funds to build future homes. With food, music and a crafts station where participants can decorate a 2x4 stud, this even is sure to be a hit.

Event: Hammer for Habita
Date: Saturday, September 28th
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Location: South Salem Street, Randolph, NJ

For more information please visit the following link: http://bit.ly/1fO8su0