Your New Year’s Guide to Toyota Maintenance

With the new year upon us, it’s the perfect time to focus on what matters most—starting with your vehicle’s health. At Mark Jacobson Toyota, “We Say Yes” to helping you kick off the year on the right foot. 

That’s why we’ve put together a quick guide packed with essential Toyota maintenance tips to keep your car running smoothly throughout 2025 and beyond. 

1. Clean and Lubricate Your Brake System

Your brake system works hard every time you hit the road, and over time, parts like the calipers and slide pins can wear out or seize if they’re not properly maintained. That’s why cleaning and lubricating these parts as well as regular brake inspections are important. This is especially true if you live in an area with changing weather conditions like Durham. Taking care of these components helps reduce wear on your pads and rotors, allowing them to last longer and giving you a smoother, safer ride.

If you notice any of the following signs, it might be time to have your brake system checked:

• Squeaking, grinding, or squealing noises when braking.
• A soft or spongy feeling in the brake pedal.
• Uneven braking or pulling to one side.

2. Replace Your Spark Plugs

These small but mighty parts ignite the air-fuel mixture in your engine, giving your car the power it needs to run smoothly. If your spark plugs aren’t working properly, you might notice your engine struggling to start or even misfiring.

Spark plugs naturally wear out over time from the constant heat and pressure they endure. Depending on your Toyota model and the type of spark plugs it uses (copper, platinum, or iridium), they typically need replacing every 30,000 to 100,000 miles.

To keep your spark plugs in good condition, have them inspected regularly. In some cases, they can be cleaned to remove mild buildup, but they often need replacing entirely once they’ve worn out. 

3. Inspect and Replace Your Timing Belt

Your Toyota’s timing belt keeps the engine’s valves and pistons perfectly in sync to power your car efficiently. If the timing belt gets damaged or snaps, it can cause serious harm to your engine, like bent valves or piston issues — repairs that no one wants to deal with.

Most Toyota models need a timing belt replacement every 60,000 to 100,000 miles, but this can vary depending on your car and how you drive. 

It’s important to be aware of signs that your timing belt may be nearing the end of its life. If you notice engine misfires, unusual noises (like a ticking sound), or difficulty starting your car, it could be a sign that your timing belt is damaged and needs expert attention. 

Stop by Our Toyota Service Center Today

The new year is a great time to take care of those less frequent but important Toyota maintenance tasks that keep your car running smoothly. To make sure you’re on track, follow your Toyota service schedule and stay ahead of essential maintenance. 

At Mark Jacobson Toyota, we help make sure your vehicle is ready for whatever the year has in store. So feel free to stop by to see how we can help; we look forward to seeing you soon!

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