downtowntoyota, Author at DOWNTOWN TOYOTA BLOG

Toronto’s Best Boating Activities

Being out on the water in Toronto is a great way to spend the last few days of summer before the weather turns cold. Here are some of the best boating activities to enjoy and some tips to ensure that you have a good time.

Rental options

The Boat House, Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak Centre, and Toronto Island SUP all offer the option of renting all kinds of equipment. At these spots, you can rent kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, standup paddleboards, and more. You can also take lessons if you’re unsure about your skill level.

Enjoy a cruise

If you don’t want to haul any equipment out on the water, you can always opt for one of the many dining cruises available in the area. Eat delicious food while viewing the Toronto skyline from companies like Great Lakes Schooner Company, Jubilee Queen Cruises, Yankee Lady Yacht Charters, and more.

Remember the rules

Before heading out on the water, you’ll want to be sure you’re aware of all of the guidelines and rules that are in place. Speed limits, zones, markers, driving etiquette, and essential tools are all things to consider.

The next time you stop by and see us at Downtown Toyota, let us know what your favourite water activities are in the area!

Toronto Festivals You Should Visit This Fall

Toronto is home to many exciting events year-round. From thought-provoking art installations to music and film festivals, you’re sure to find something fun to do this fall in the city.

BuskerFest

If you want to attend an event for a good cause, stop by BuskerFest from Sept. 2-5. This quirky festival takes place at Woodbine Park and benefits Epilepsy Toronto. Here, you’ll see all kinds of acts like circus performers, aerialists, musicians, and magic shows.

Toronto International Film Festival

You’ve probably heard of TIFF, the Toronto International Film Festival that runs from Sept. 8-18 this year. After hosting a virtual version of the event in 2020 and 2021, this year marks the festival’s return to theatres in the city. Visit the TIFF website to learn more about what will be premiering and how to purchase tickets.

Redpath Waterfront Festival

Head to HTO Park and Sugar Beach on Sept. 17-18 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for all kinds of family fun! The Redpath Waterfront Festival is where you’ll find live music on two stages, local food trucks serving delicious snacks, a working replica of Theodore TOO Tugboat, and more.

We can wait to get out and enjoy the many upcoming fall festivals in Toronto. Stop by and see us at Downtown Toyota if you’re in the area!

Need to Save on Gas? Try These Getaways Close to Toronto

If you’re hoping to save some money on gas while still enjoying your summer, we’ve got you covered. Check out these exciting local getaways that aren’t too far from downtown Toronto!

Elora

This adorable town is great for city dwellers and outdoor enthusiasts. The historic Metcalfe Street hosts a variety of funs shops while the Elora Gorge is ready for exploration. Wind down at night by sitting on a restaurant or spa patio that overlooks the Grand River.

Muskoka

If you’re trying to get away from all of the bustling city sounds, head to Muskoka. Here, you’ll find a serene area with tall trees, beautiful parks, and plenty of places to hike or camp. Some creature comforts are still nearby, though, like the local bakery and a performance venue with incredible musical acts.

Stratford

Speaking of entertainment, you’ll want to visit Stratford for a ton of culture. This town is home to many theater productions and even hosts its annual Stratford Festival. You’ll find all kinds of luxury here as well, like bed and breakfast spots and top chefs.

Where are you headed for your summer getaway? Let us know the next time you see us at Downtown Toyota in Toronto!

Our Favourite Hidden Gems in Downtown Toronto

Toronto Public Library | Toronto, ON — “Toronto Reference Library atrium” by Nayuki is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

If you plan on visiting us at Downtown Toyota to service your vehicle or shop for a new one, you might as well make a day of it! Here are our favourite best-kept secrets that you can enjoy in and around the city.

For book lovers

Toronto is home to many independent bookshops and libraries, offering unique experiences every time you turn a corner (and a page). The Monkey’s Paw features the world’s first “Biblio-Mat,” a random book vending machine. Just about 3 km down the road is the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, where you can see and hold a huge collection of beautiful antique books.

For history buffs

As you wander through the city, you’ll also find many engaging museums, educational buildings, and historical sites. At the Toronto Public Library, the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation, and Fantasy features more than 72,000 items to make you question reality and everything you know.

For adventurers

The CN Tower is an iconic landmark of the city. But did you know that the structure holds the record for the world’s tallest metal staircase? While they’re not usually open to the public, the building does host charity star-climbing events occasionally. Good luck getting up those 2,579 steps to reach the SkyPod level!

What are your favourite spots to visit when you’re in the city? Let our team know the next time you visit us at Downtown Toyota!

Celebrate Toronto at These Summer Festivals

Toronto is home to many exciting festivals and events throughout the year — and summer is especially packed with great options. If you’re looking for inspiration for your upcoming plans, check out our top Toronto summer festivals.

Toronto Caribbean Carnival

The best part about the Toronto Caribbean Carnival is that is spans almost the whole month of July, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the festivities. From July 7-30, you can experience a variety of engaging events and food from Guyanan, Bermudan, Dominican, Haitian, Trinidadian, and Jamaican cultures. This includes a handful of parties, a couple of parades, delicious food, and lively music.

Salsa in Toronto Festival

An event that packs itself into just two days, the Salsa in Toronto festival, takes place July 9-10 in Midtown. This event celebrates Latin culture in Canada and includes amazing authentic food selections, dance lessons, art exhibitions, film screenings, musical performances, and a parade.

Toronto Jazz Festival

If you solely want to focus on music, consider visiting the Toronto Jazz Festival from June 24 to July 3. This event brings together local and international superstars of the jazz world right in the heart of the city! This year’s special guests include Smokey Robinson, Gregory Porter, and Michael Kaeshammer.

Our team at Downtown Toyota is excited for summer. If your vehicle needs any repairs or maintenance to get you to these exciting festivals, simply contact us or stop by and see us.

Get Outdoors in Toronto This Spring

We’ve all been cooped up at home this winter and now that the weather is getting nicer, our team at Downtown Toyota is ready to get outside and enjoy the city! Here are our picks for some of the top things to do in Toronto this spring.

Toronto Comic Arts Festival

While it may take place indoors, the Toronto Comic Arts Festival is a great way to get out and about in the city while also enjoying comic books. This free-admission event takes place at the Toronto Reference Library, so you can step outside afterward and read your new comics at one of the various parks nearby.

Enjoy a Farmers Market

Toronto is home to many outdoor farmers markets that offer incredibly fresh fruits and vegetables from locals. The best part about the city is that you can find markets that are open on the weekends as well as during the week!

Toronto Botanical Gardens

If you want to get up-close views of nature, consider stopping by the Toronto Botanical Gardens as well as the Allen Gardens Conservatory. The botanical gardens are open daily from dawn until dusk and are free to visit.

What is your favorite way to spend time outdoors in spring? We’d love to hear what your top spots are in the city!

What’s New for the 2022 RAV4?

The RAV4 is one of the most popular Toyota models, so it can be hard to improve upon an already impressive vehicle. But we’ve got the details on what you can expect to see in regards to 2022 RAV4 updates.

Exterior updates

One of the first things you’ll notice on the latest RAV4 are newly designed projector LED headlamps. These can be seen in one of two available packages, found on most models. Additionally, new LED fog lamps have been introduced to Limited, Trail, and TRD Off-Road grades while the XSE Hybrid model gets sleek vertical lights that made their initial debut on the XSE Prime last year.

Another design update can be seen on the RAV4 XSE model, which gets a bold Calvary Blue colour option with a black roof. This exciting combination can also be found on the new SE Hybrid grade and the existing RAV4 TRD Off-Road. Toyota has also updated the RAV4’s wheel options, with new designs and colours.

New RAV4 Hybrid SE

This grade is completely new for 2022 and was built to show off the RAV4’s sporty appeal and exciting performance. It is equipped with new 18-inch black-painted wheels, offered in the new Cavalry Blue colour, and features a long list of high-end amenities. For example, this efficient model comes with a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, a leather-wrapped shift knob, a power liftgate, and elegant piano black bumpers.

It’s wonderful to see all of these new options for the 2022 Toyota RAV4. If you’d like to know more, contact our team at Downtown Toyota in Toronto, Ontario.

Meet the Amazing New Toyota Multimedia System

Connectivity is one of the most important features in vehicles today. As such, the new Toyota multimedia system features a long list of exciting new updates that make staying connected easier and more helpful.

An expansive smartphone-like screen

The first major update is the available high-definition 14-inch touch screen with no glare and easy-to-touch functionality. Equipped with Connected Services and available Drive Connect Cloud Navigation, you can pinch and zoom the map with intuitive touch control. The Cloud Navigation system also comes with Google Point-Of-Interest search capability, which lets your phone contacts know your estimated time of arrival. Rounding out this innovative system are Over-The-Air (OTA) updates so you’re always in the know.

Get help with Toyota Virtual Assistant

By simply saying “Hi, Hello, Hey, or Okay Toyota,” a Virtual Assistant can take care of in-vehicle functions like climate control or changing the audio settings. When you have available Drive Connect, Intelligent Assistant adds more functionality like providing sports scores or finding coffee shops.

No more annoyances

One smart update is the inclusion of standard wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. And if you’d like to connect via Bluetooth®, you’ll be happy to know that system is now faster and provides a better hands-free phone connection.

Improved mobile app

The updated Toyota mobile app lets you remotely start your Toyota and it saves user profiles so you can easily select your preferred vehicle settings. This means you can spend less time adjusting everything in the cabin and just start enjoying the drive.

These are just some of the highlights from the new Toyota multimedia system, which will be included first on the 2022 Tundra. To learn more, contact our team at Downtown Toyota in Toronto, Ontario.

Toyota Debuts All-Electric bZ4X SUV

If you’ve been hoping for an all-electric Toyota SUV, your wait will soon be over. Toyota recently introduced the bZ4X EV, the first battery-electric vehicle in the “Toyota bZ” brand. This new model won’t be available in Canada until mid-2022, but here are some details to get you ready for its arrival.

“The bZ4x introduces yet another option for Canadian drivers looking to enjoy the benefits of electrification — including advanced performance and lower, or in this case, zero emissions,” noted Cyril Dimitris, Vice President at Toyota Canada Inc.

The Toyota bZ4X has a bold, futuristic design — inside and out. Its aerodynamic shape is accented by sleek headlamps in the front and a strong, trapezoidal rear end. This theme continues to the inside of the new bZ4X, with a streamlined dash featuring a large touch screen, elegant materials, and enough room for up to five.

When it comes to performance, the bZ4X is estimated to get a maximum range of 400 km, according to Toyota. This is thanks to a high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack. But that’s not all — this new Toyota SUV was crafted for the occasional off-road adventure. A new all-wheel drive system with available XMODE® provides a smooth ride and maximum control.

These are just a few of the highlights from this exciting new electric vehicle. To learn more about the upcoming 2023 Toyota bZ4X, contact our team at Downtown Toyota in Toronto, Ontario.

Winter Tire Tips for Toronto Drivers

Believe it or not, winter is upon us once more. That means challenging conditions that can make getting around Toronto tougher. One surefire way to ensure that you’re ready for whatever lies ahead is to follow some key tire care tips — including considering a new set of winter tires.

Why consider winter tires?

Cold-weather or winter tires are a great option for drivers in Toronto, Ontario, because they’re specially engineered to endure low temperatures and deliver top-level performance. The unique rubber and tread patterns help provide better grip, maximizing your traction even on icy roadways.

If you purchase a set of winter tires from the Downtown Toyota Tire Centre, you’ll have your pick from a wide range of brands you know and trust. You can take advantage of special offers as well as great everyday prices, and we’ll make the process of installation and switching back to all-season tires in the springtime quick and painless.

General winter tire care tips

Buying winter tires helps keep you safer and extends the life of your current set of tires. But if you aren’t sure that you want to invest in a second set of tires, these tips will help you get through the winter.

Check the air pressure. Find the recommended PSI levels in your owner’s manual and make sure that your tires are always properly inflated.
Look for signs of damage. Be on the lookout for cracks, bubbling, or other signs that could indicate your tires are due for a replacement
Monitor your tread levels. If you notice that your tread levels look low, get a quarter and insert it between the treads with Queen Elizabeth’s head facing down. If you can see the top of her head, you don’t have enough tread to safely operate your vehicle

Looking to get new tires for the winter? Let the experts at the Downtown Toyota Tire Centre help.