Maintenance Tips for Your Unused Vehicle near Santa Barbara, CA
If you recently got a remote job and live in a walkable area of Santa Barbara, your Toyota model can go unused. You should take precautions to avoid any difficulties that come from not driving your Toyota. Look over these suggestions prepared by our Service Department at Toyota of Santa Barbara to keep your car ready to go.
Check the Battery Condition
When your Toyota Tacoma, RAV4, or Corolla sits for too long without starting, the battery can discharge enough energy that it won’t have the power needed to energize the starting motor. As a result, your vehicle’s engine will not turn over, leaving you stuck at home the next time you need to go out. One simple way to ensure you don’t encounter this issue is to make certain to start and drive your car for at least 20 minutes every one or two weeks. Doing so will allow the alternator to recharge the battery while you drive to Santa Barbara Harbor. You should also look under the hood or any other battery location you have to check the physical condition of this valued part. Clear any debris that has gotten into the housing area, check that the cable connectors are still in good shape, and look for signs of damage that could indicate a need for a new battery.
Exterior Protection
Leaving your car out in the open and exposed to the elements is a surefire way for it to become damaged. Baking in the sunlight while staying in the same parked position will harm your door seals, cause UV damage to any interior parts that are consistently in the light, and can even lead to dry rot on the tires. The best way to prevent this sort of damage from taking root is to ensure you park your Toyota inside a garage. However, that is not practical for many people in this area. Instead, you should consult our Parts Department and purchase a car cover that will protect those valued aspects of the vehicle so that it’s ready for the next time you want to go to West Beach.
Schedule Regular Upkeep
The final requirement to keep your vehicle ready for when you need it is to keep up with your maintenance schedule. Even though you’re not using your Toyota, some of the fluids and features can still deteriorate with the passage of time. For example, you need to check your car’s tires to ensure that they haven’t lost air. While you’re doing that, be sure to move the vehicle so that the same part of the tires is not pressed on the ground for several weeks at a time. You also need to look for leaks to be certain that your car isn’t losing brake fluid, oil, or transmission fluid, vital liquids. Your Toyota model will also need to have its brakes checked and serviced to prevent them from building up moisture or corrosion. If you need help with keeping your vehicle ready to take you to Santa Barbara City College, schedule a maintenance appointment with us!
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Dealership Information
Testimonials
“ Marco is the sales agent I recommend for his prompt follow-up and integrity during my vehicle decision making process. Marco was the 1st agent who contacted me within 2 hours after requesting information on 2025 RAV 4 Hybrids online following my accident. Customer oriented and knowledgeable, he was patient with numerous texts on my wants and needs until meeting weeks later. At that time he thoroughly addressed my needs and we discussed my options. I test drove two different RAV4 models and chose the one I wanted. He and others found the exact color, and amenities I was looking for! It was made available to me for pick-up the next day. Very pleased with my SUV and for Marco and his patience. ”
“ They were awesome! Jacob was our sales rep and Alex was our financial advisor they both were awesome ! Jacob went above and beyond to make sure everything worked out for us and our price range, I was so relieved after multiple days of hard car shopping to come across somebody so honest and genuine. And the dealership was amazing they let us borrow a car to go grab lunch and made sure we were treated to snacks, water and coffee while the deal was in progress. Will definitely buy my next car here and hopefully from Jacob!! ”
“ I have always had the best experiences with Toyota service department! They are always very honest and knowledgeable about my vehicle and what it needs! I have never felt that they would ever take advantage of me and that's why I continue to always have my car serviced at this dealership!! Alejandro, Alex, George and Jaime are so kind and helpful!! I bought my car from Juan in 2021 and had the best experience with him and Tom who helped me get financed at a great rate! ”
“ (Translated by Google) undefined (Original) If you are in the market for a new or used car go here, ask for Xavier Woods. Wonderful experience thru and thru! We all hate the thought of buying a new car, even more with the stereotypical dealership shenanigans, NOT here. I will be a long time customer! I already have them looking for my next ride! 10/10 experience! ”
“ I would like to extend my gratitude to Angel and Mikey for their exceptional service, addressing my initial concerns about purchasing a vehicle out of state with a streamlined and efficient process, keeping me consistently informed about the status of my truck through regular updates, thus eliminating unnecessary communication and ensuring a smooth experience, which would certainly prompt consideration for future purchases at this dealership. ”
“ I want to give a big thank-you to Todd from the Toyota service department. Despite an unfortunate experience earlier in the day regarding a battery replacement, Todd was incredibly helpful, professional, and kind. Jamie, the service manager, was also very helpful in navigating the issue and ensuring I was taken care of. I truly appreciate their support, and a special shout-out to Todd and Jamie for his excellent customer service! ”
“ We always love doing business at our Goleta Toyota. Seriously no haggle, they hear you, they want to get you a good deal because they respect small community businesses and life-long customers. ”
“ Oscar was awesome! Very helpful! ”
“ I had a rough start due to a misunderstanding within departments. Thought I was done with this dealer, until Cammie Perez, the new GM called me and absolutely exhibited the very best customer service that I have experienced in my troublesome quest for the perfect truck. I have replaced my faith and committed to buy from Toyota of Santa Barbara! as a result of the excellence exhibited by Cammie. ( they are even delivering it to my home! ) BUY HERE. ”
“ I recently sold a used vehicle to the dealership. The rep’s demeanor was kind and sincere all the way through. Didn’t feel pressured and walked away feeling good about the deal. Thank you, Luis and team! ”
“ I purchased a 2019 ram 1500 from the incredibly helpful staff at Toyota Santa Barbara. As professional and respectful as can be. High quality cars and trucks from the highest quality staff. The sales man Nico is who you need for anything on the lot! Customer service satisfaction %100 of the time, every time. ”
“ I would like to commend Elijah Carlson for doing an excellent job and a difficult job in figuring out the phone connection thank you, Elijah ”
“ Thank you to Koby and Christy for all their help in my recent car purchase. Koby was so helpful, he made the whole process easy and made me feel really happy and confident about the purchase. He even drove it to my house afterwards so I didn’t have to make two trips. Christy was a breath of fresh air when doing the paperwork, she was so knowledgable and proactive in making sure I made all the best decisions for additional cover etc. They were both friendly and genuinely interested all while being real professionals without being robotic and intimidating! Thank you Toyota of Santa Barbara! Highly recommend! ”
“ (Translated by Google) Tuve una experiencia excelente con Elijah Carlson cuando compré mi Prius. Conocía a la perfección cada modelo y fue muy amable. ¡Me lo recomendó muchísimo! (Original) I had a great experience with Elijah Carlson when I bought my Prius. He knew so much about each model and was so friendly. Great recommendations. ”
“ I visited the dealership unsure of what I was looking for, but Noe Santos went above and beyond to help me find the perfect car for me and my family. Throughout the entire process, Noe was patient, never made me feel pressured or rushed, and made everything feel effortless. I highly recommend reaching out to Noe Santos for any of your needs, he was amazing. ”
“ Sold my car to Toyota of Santa Barbara. Elijah C was their representative, that man shook my hand and was able to have me out of there with the last paper signed in 30 minutes. When youre busy and only have a short amount of time, go to Elijah Carlson! ”
“ Elijah Carlson took great care of me and my family, highly recommend working with Elijah. Will be returning ”
“ Bought my lease out and Mike Flores helped me out in the process. Quick and easy. Thanks for the excellent service from the team! Would definitely recommend Mike in sales and Toyota Santa Barbara for your next purchase. ”
“ I had such a great experience working with Mikey! He was so helpful from start to finish and made the entire car buying process easy and enjoyable. Mikey took the time to answer all of my questions and made sure I felt confident with my choice. He was patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about finding the perfect car for me. I couldn’t be happier with my new car and the amazing service I received. Highly recommend asking for Mikey if you’re looking for someone who really goes above and beyond! ”
“ Ask for Mike Flores in Sales- Helped me get my new Tacoma at a great deal! ”
“ Sales and Finance team helped me finalize my Camry purchase with ease! Ask for Mikey Flores in Sales! ”
“ We came to Santa Barbara Toyota thru the Costco Auto Program after trying another dealership. We worked with Oscar Hernandez to purchase two cars and were very happy with the experience. He was very helpful and patient in dealing with our concerns. Would recommend this dealer and this salesperson. ”
“ (Translated by Google) ¡Compré mi camioneta en este lugar, lo recomiendo ampliamente! (Original) Bought my truck from this place, highly recommend! ”
“ Elijah Carlson was super nice and easy to work with. He helped me find exactly what I needed and made everything simple. I’d definitely buy from him again. ”
“ (Translated by Google) Elijah me brindó una asistencia excepcional durante mi reciente experiencia con Toyota. Su amplio conocimiento de los vehículos me facilitó la elección del modelo adecuado para mis necesidades. Se tomó el tiempo de explicarme las características en detalle y fue paciente con mis preguntas. Incluso me ayudó a programar una prueba de manejo, asegurándose de que me sintiera segura de mi decisión. Salí del concesionario con plena confianza en mi compra, gracias a su orientación y experiencia. En resumen, la atención al cliente de Elijah hizo que mi experiencia con Toyota fuera placentera y sin estrés. ¡Lo recomiendo ampliamente! (Original) Elijah provided exceptional assistance during my recent experience with Toyota. His extensive knowledge of the vehicles made it easy for me to choose the right model for my needs. He took the time to explain the features in detail and was patient with my questions. Elijah even helped arrange a test drive, ensuring I felt comfortable with my decision. I left the dealership feeling confident about my purchase, thanks to his guidance and expertise. Overall, Elijah's customer service made my Toyota experience enjoyable and stress-free. Highly recommend! ”
“ (Translated by Google) Excelente servicio. La transacción se realizó sin problemas y de forma natural; una experiencia fantástica. Recomiendo ampliamente hablar con Elijah Carlson si deciden ir; fue excepcional. (Original) Great service here. Deal went smoothly and naturally, great experience. I highly recommend speaking with Elijah Carlson if you decide to go, he was amazing. ”
“ (Translated by Google) Este lugar fue muy sencillo, al menos para mí. La excelente atención al cliente de Elijah Carlson hizo que toda la experiencia de compra fuera fácil y sin complicaciones. Lo recomiendo ampliamente. (Original) This place was super smooth at least for me. Excellent customer service from Elijah Carlson really made the whole purchasing experience easy and seamless. I would highly recommend. ”
“ Alex Macias is awesome. 10/10 Recommend! Got me in same day for service, my truck was done super quick. Make sure when you go to service ask for Alex Macias!! ”
“ Got a used car here after moving cross country with no vehicle. Xavier and the other sales staff were professional and didn't try any sleazy tactics that many car salesman would. They guided me through the process well and didn't try to pressure me into making horrible decisions ”
“ I had a great experience at Toyota Santa Barbara, thanks to Nico Dominguez! He was very helpful and dedicated to getting me the best deal! I’ll definitely be sending some friends and family over to purchase their new cars with Nico! ”
“ The dealer was easy to talk with, they were transparent about pricing. Their fees were much lower than other dealers that i have seen. The car condition was accurate based on the posting. I would recommend using this dealership. Like buying anywhere, make sure to ask questions about the car and pricing. Usual they try to include a warranty package to overall pricing ”
“ Seamless transactions. Been helped by Mikey Flores, Angel and with the sales service team to get the unit i wanted. Options have been provided, given what were requested. No rush, no pressure. I was even offered vehicle for temporary use and remote transactions with delivery. Highly recommended Toyota dealer and staffs! ”