Tuesday April 23rd 2019, the Banff Mountain Film Festival comes to Sheridan. Wyoming.
Held at the WYO
The film festival world tour begins after the festival itself in Banff, Canada. Bringing amazing awe-inspiring outdoor videos and cinematography to Wyoming.
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Toyota is one of the last car manufacturers to offer compatibility with Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto. Some 2019 model years still have Toyota’s Entune system.
The software allows for integration with smartphones on new vehicles. Making phone calls, text messaging through voice, and music applications easy to use.
The software gives the ability to project a map on the touchscreen and give voice directions for navigation. The software makes built-in navigation systems redundant.
Most other car manufacturers have had this available for a couple of years now.
According to Bloomberg, a Toyota spokesperson said they had been reluctant to add the “…software due safety and security reasons.”
Moving forward, Apple CarPlay is either here now on certain Toyota models or coming soon.
No information yet on whether the Land Cruiser will get the systems or not.
A spokesperson from Toyota informed us that he thought the next model year Highlander will have the software along with Android Auto.
Android Auto with Alexa compatibility will only be available on a select few vehicles as far as we know at this time.
It’s a start.
Click the links below for updates on potential future or added vehicles with the software. Check other vehicle manufacturers for compatibility.
https://www.apple.com/ios/carplay/available-models/
https://www.android.com/auto/toyota/
Do you have a vehicle with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto? How do you like it? Will having this software in a vehicle, affect your future car purchase decision? Let us know in the comments below.
For information on Toyota vehicles, contact your preferred Toyota dealership.
Brakes on vehicles can make all sorts of weird noises from squealing, squeaking, screeching, hissing, scratching, swooshing and grinding.
Sometimes it’s normal and sometimes it’s not.
Read more to find out whether you need to get those squeaking brakes checked or not.
It’s a good idea to have a basic understanding of how the brake system in a vehicle works.
Most modern vehicles have brake rotors, brake pads and brake calipers (older vehicles may have brake drums on the rear). These all sit behind each wheel of the car or truck.
The caliper holds the brake pads. When you press the brake pedal, this makes the caliper push the pads onto the rotor.
Upon brake pads making contact with the rotor, friction is caused and thus slows the wheel down.
Brakes squeaking from worn brake pads is definitively the one you need to fix.
Brake pads can be fitted with a warning indicator which will result in a loud squealing noise when the pad is near the end of it’s life.
A visual wear indicator on the pad consists of a groove that runs across the pad. When the material on the pad is flush with the indicator, it’s time for new pads.
If you are not familiar with replacing the pads/rotors on your vehicle, take it to a local brake expert.
Some repair shops even offer free brake checks, or they are checked during routine maintenance like oil changes.
Look at your brake pad to see how much of the pad is left. You may need a flashlight, but should be able to see it without taking the wheel off.
If the brake pad is less than 1/4″ thick, they probably need replacing.
Typically between 25,000-50,000 miles. This all depends on the type of brake pad and how hard or how often the vehicle is driven. Lesser quality pads may also wear faster than normal.
Also know that a vehicle sitting for a lonf periods of time without being driven, can cause deterioration of the pads too.
When the temperature gets below 32 F, snow and ice can build on brake pads and rotors. Even water that gets in there can later freeze causing and ice build up.
This can cause a squealing or squeaking brake noise but should only be temporary as the ice and moisture melts/disspates.
Excessive hard braking, dragging the brake or problems with the system causing the brake to stick on the rotor more than it should.
Overheating the pads results in them becoming hard and/or shiny which reduces the friction. If brakes are glazed, this will eventually cause a build of material on the rotor too, braking delays and a shudder.
If the brake pads are glazed, they need to be replaced. The compound of the pad is effectively ruined at this point.
Some brake pads come with a wear-in material. When the pads are brand new, they may squeak a little until they are broken in.
Pads with a high metal content can cause squeaking or squealing when braking.
Race cars can often have brake set-ups that squeals due to the compound material the competition pads are made of. The desired effect of the pad and rotor combination is maximum braking under hard driving conditions. They work best when they are hot. It is normal for high-end brake set-ups to squeal.
Carbon ceramic brake set-ups are also known to be noisier.
Squeaking brakes is a small side effect to pay in return for the brakes being able to stop a car at high speeds.
High temperature grease can be applied to the back of the pad to reduce some noise in this instance.
Rotors are round and supposed to be flat. Completely flat on the surface that the pad makes contact with. The term for a completely flat surface on brake rotors is called honest.
If the rotors are not honest, this results in vibrations due to pads getting bumped on the uneven surface. This can cause further damage and other parts or prices to become misaligned.
It’s likely a vibration from the brake pedal or steering wheel is felt before squeaking brakes in this instance.
Water getting on the rotors and pads can cause squeaking brakes.
Snow, rain and/or condensation build up can make the brakes squeal when pressing the brake pedal.
Moisture can also cause the rotors to rust. Rust can also cause some noises from the brakes. The noise should go away after some driving. Applying the brakes should help clean the rust off the rotors.
hims are there to reduce noise by dampening vibrations between the pads and rotors.
If the shim is missing, misaligned or not making contact with the brake pad, it can’t do it’s job. This will increase the likelihood of brakes squeaking.
Missing or misaligned anti-rattle clips can cause squeaking brakes. Anti-rattle clips are pieces of metal that hold the brake pad tight to avoid rattling.
Other hardware that’s missing, out of alignment or rusted can also be the culprit in squeaking brakes.
Squeaking brakes can sometimes be normal, due to factors such as moisture, ice, rust, cheap brake pads, or performance brake pads compounds.
Being able to brake efficiently is a major part of vehicles safety. If your brakes are not working as good as they did, or it’s taking a lot longer to stop, have them checked.
If your brakes are spongy or not very responsive, have them checked.
When the squealing or squeaking noise is unbearable, definitely have your brakes looked at.
Less than a 1/4″ of pad thickness left? It’s time for new pads.
Finally, if you aren’t sure but are are still concerned, its better to be safer than sorry when it comes to brakes. As mentioned earlier, most reputable auto repair shops will check them for free.
“…Yaris Adventure was made to leave the city (via highway).”
For April fools day, Toyota
Quote Toyota,
“Now comes a truck that is perfect for those who want to tell their friends they own a truck but never veer off pavement.”
Here’s the specs;
Toyota also says in the release,
“The extra cab with rear seating was ditched because it was determined that no one really wants to sit back there anyway.”
Apparently, there will be no warranty offered on the Yaris Adventure, because it would be, “unthinkable” for anything to break.
According to Toyota, anyone smart enough to drive a Yaris means they know exactly where they are going, so no navigation will be available.
“Toyota is very excited to debut this product that nobody saw coming,” said a senior executive at Toyota who preferred to remain anonymous. “We’re constantly listening to our customers and reacting to the market. We have to blame the market on this one, as we haven’t had one customer ask for a truck like this.”
This Yaris Adventure is not a real car/truck. Hope you had a fun April Fools day!
Shortly after releasing this info, Toyota reveal a real new car. The 2020 Yaris Hatchback.
Pricing is available for the all-new 2020 Jeep Gladiator pickup truck.
Trim levels are; Sport, Sport S, Overland, Rubicon, and Jeep just announced a special limited production Launch Edition.
Note, these are the base starting MSRP prices for each trim, destination charges and other dealer fees may not be included.
Each of these prices assumes the base spec in 4×4 with the 3.6 L V6 engine, and manual transmission. Adding an 8-speed transmission is $2000.
Customization is of course in part what makes a Wrangler a Wrangler and this stays true with the Gladiator too. With a host extra options as you’d expect from not just a Wrangler, but truck options too.
From a tow package, rear axle options, soft-tops, and hard-tops for the cab, tonneau covers for the 5′ bed, spray-in bedliners, LED lights, Adaptive Cruise Control and more.
Just as you’d expect from a Wrangler, the Gladiator also has removable panels and windshield for open air freedom. No other mid-size truck has that option.
Limited to 4,190 trucks (number represents Ohio where the truck is built). Orders can be placed online at Jeep.com for one day only on April 4th to reserve a Gladiator.
Customers can enter their contact information and a Jeep concierge will make contact the same day to finalize the reservation and pair the customer with a dealer of their choosing to take delivery.
Launch Edition Gladiator’s is a loaded Rubicon with features such as;
Launch Edition Gladiators are available in;
Firecracker Red, Black, Granite Crystal Metallic, and Billet Silver Metallic.
$62,310 MSRP for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Launch Edition.
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