Close 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!
Save Money With Our Service Specials!
Dealership Information
Testimonials
“ Oscar was fantastic throughout the entire buying process. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and never made me feel pressured. The process was straightforward and easy from start to finish. They were able to source my Tacoma much faster than expected, despite it being a unique build. Alex made the paperwork quick and efficient, and Oscar was extremely helpful during the test drives and when explaining the different coverage options. Overall, it was a great experience, and I would definitely recommend working with them if you're looking for a new Toyota. ”
“ Jake was great!! Very helpful and made everything quick and seamless. ”
“ Not to exaggerate but probably one of the best dealerships that I've been to too. I got Marco as my salesman and he made the experience enjoyable. Didn't add unnecessary pressure like most dealerships do. Actually showed me options and cared for what I liked or disliked in a car. He gave me time to think about my options and was very upfront about the process. Definitely would recommend this place. ”
“ I bought my car at Ventura Toyota but came to Santa Barbara Toyota to get my car serviced. This was my first visit to Santa Barbara Toyota and I had John helping me. He was great, he kept me updated throughout the process, and he reminded me to take advantage of some of the benefits I get through Toyota that I hadn't been using. It took about 3 hours start to finish. Drop off and pick up was really easy. I have no complaints and would recommend Ventura Toyota for General car maintenance. ”
“ Tod provided exceptional customer service from start to finish. He was professional, knowledgeable, and always available to answer all of my questions. He kept me informed throughout the entire process and stayed on top of every detail, which gave me great confidence and peace of mind. I'm extremely satisfied with the service I received and very happy with the repairs performed on my vehicle. The issue was fixed, and my car is now running smoothly. Tod's dedication, communication, and commitment to customer satisfaction truly exceeded my expectations. Thank you, Tod, for making this such a positive experience. I highly recommend him to anyone needing service for their vehicle! ”
“ Tom the sales manager is a kid and helpful person. I also enjoyed driving my BZ! I recommend Toyota. ”
“ We just became a part of the Toyota family today purchasing a Camry. The experience was very pleasant and seamless. Tom Isaac and Alex were all very helpful in providing us with the information we needed to make the decision easy and quickly to purchase our vehicle with Toyota of Santa Barbara. We couldn’t be happier! Thank you Isaac Alex and Tom. ”
“ Our best car-buying experience ever, thanks to Sam Ladd who is exceptionally knowledgeable and helpful. ”
“ I worked with Juan and Alex to find my ideal next truck. Both were very patient, answered questions and worked with us to get comfortable and work the contract to what made most sense to our family. Thank you very much!! ”
“ Leo Alfaro went above and beyond to show me a Corvette. Made a custom video for me, lifted up the Corvette to look underneath, and was completely honest and accommodating. Would highly recommend. ”
“ I had an excellent experience at Toyota of Santa Barbara purchasing my new RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid. Marco Beltran assisted with the purchase and was available in person and by email to answer numerous questions. When he wasn’t yet in the office, Tom Zimmerman stepped in to provide support. They were professional and friendly, with a relaxed approach. In addition, Cristy Connor was outstanding in handling the finances. Highly recommend! ”
“ I did not end up buying a car here as the used vehicle I was trying to purchase sold quickly! Understandably as they priced it well. They took my info down though and what I was looking for and were good about reaching out with other options that fit my needs as they came in. Thanks y’all ”
“ Jesus López at Toyota of SB responded to my email, called to verify, and was prompt and thorough every step of the way. I came into town to test drive a compact SUV. When I decided it was too small, he showed me a few other options with absolutely no pressure at all! They are super competitive on their pricing. I ended up driving away in a different vehicle. That night! I highly recommend Jesus as your next car sales guy! ”
“ We recently purchased from Toyota Santa Barbara and had a genuinely smooth experience from start to finish. Isaac was our sales associate and went above and beyond — he made sure we felt taken care of from the moment we arrived, helped us get fully set up with all the car’s features and technology, and even arranged our transportation so we could get there without any hassle. Alex walked us through the purchase details and presented the service packages clearly, giving us the best pricing on those. Benito in finance handled everything professionally and efficiently, making the paperwork side painless. If you’re looking for a dealership where the team actually goes the extra mile, this is it. We’d go back without hesitation. ”
“ I don't usually shop at dealerships, but when I saw this beautiful and well-maintained Camry I couldn't resist! Thank you Jesus Lopez :) ”
“ Good service ”
“ I just have to say after going through literally the moon and back with no resolutions , trying to buy a car from Santa Maria coming here was just flawless. Christy Neo and Jackson deserve love, flowers and some raises. Jackson contacted me as soon as I showed interest in the car and made the process super simple, sent an uber to come get me. Neo made sure that the car was washed and detailed and helped make sure I was comfortable before I left and Christy got me the best deal on my car. You guys are amazing and I am so grateful that I had this experience buying my car. If you not buying your car from here you’re wasting your money ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥 ”
“ Stopped in to check out the Corolla Cross. Carlos gave us excellent information. Very impressed with his knowledge and professionalism. Staff was very friendly. Even got a slice of pizza because it was Saturday. I highly recommend this dealership ”
“ Marco was my sales rep and he truly is amazing! I bought a 2026 Toyota Camry, and Marco went above and beyond to make sure everything worked out within my price range. The process was super smooth and fast, and I’ve honestly never had an experience like this at other dealerships. He was honest and quick to respond—always available whenever I needed him. After days of stressful car shopping, it was such a relief to work with someone so genuine. Highly recommend them! ”
“ I recently purchased a BMW 340i from Toyota Santa Barbara, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. Leo Alfaro was the person who helped me throughout the entire process, and he made everything incredibly easy. Since I was buying the car from out of state and having it shipped to Washington, communication was very important. I had a lot of questions, and Leo always had the answers. He was friendly, professional, and always responded quickly to my calls and messages. He also kept me updated whenever paperwork needed to be completed, which made the whole process smooth and stress-free. One thing I really appreciated was that Leo took the time to make videos of the car and show me its features before I committed to the purchase. From making the deal to having everything finalized with financing through my bank, the entire process only took about a week and a half. The only part I had to arrange myself was the shipping, but my BMW arrived in Washington about a week after the deal was completed. Before it was shipped, Leo made sure the car was fully detailed and even filled up the gas tank, which was a nice touch. The paint had a few very minor scratches, but nothing noticeable unless you’re the owner looking over every detail. No used car is perfect, and overall I am extremely happy with my purchase. If you’re considering buying from Toyota Santa Barbara, especially if you’re an out of state buyer like me, I highly recommend them. And if you get the chance, ask for Leo Alfaro he provided outstanding customer service from start to finish. ”
“ Tom in Sales is the Man! Love my new Tundra. Thanks guys! ”