Letter to the Editor

Thank you to Judith Harvey for this complementary letter to the editor sent in to the Greensboro News and Record in response to an article published earlier in the month announcing Toyota's voluntary recall of certain Prius models to make adjustments to the brakes.

Safety Features of Electronic Throttle Control and Stopping Procedure

Toyota talks about the fail safe features and diagnostic capabilities designed into the electronic throttle control systems (ETCS) to ensure a safe driving experience.

I was unable to embed it but here is the link. Great info on this YouTube channel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn_cDN56Oy8

Although it is a rare occurance, we thought you should know the steps you should take if you experience a sticking accelerator pedal. Here is a great video about Stopping Procedure for sticking accelerator pedal.
http://www.youtube.com/user/ToyotaUSA?v=vD2dwz4GcfE&feature=pyv&ad=4440589514&kw=toyota#p/c/A7E3573E524159D4/3/7coShFyl_yE

NC Weiner Roast

We hope that you will join us for the Annual NC Wiener Roast on May 22, 2010, at Castle McCulloch in Jamestown, NC!

The NC Wiener Roast, created in 2003, is a joyous, fun-filled day designed to reunite Dachshund rescuers with our former foster dogs that have been placed in forever homes. It also serves as a great time for rescuers to reconnect with fellow rescuers who share in the same common goal as well as a time to catch up with our past adopters; who have evolved from strangers into our extended family.

For more info visit the NC Weiner Roast site.

We are repairing recalled Toyota's now

We are repairing recalled Toyota vehicles at our 2630 Battleground Avenue location. We have extended hours during the week and the weekend. Most repairs can be made in than than 30 minutes. There is a courtesy shuttle for your convenience. Call us to schedule your repair today at 336-288-1190 and ask for the service appointment desk or make your appointment online by clicking here or copying and pasting this URL in your browser. http://www.ricetoyota.com/Service-Schedule.aspx

Toyota's Recall Put into Context by Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, has obtained and reviewed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaint database. A key finding: despite being the subject of intense scrutiny of the company, Toyota ranks 17th out of 20 among automakers in the overall number of complaints per vehicle sold.

To Read Full Article and See Automakers Rankings Click Here or copy and paste
http://www.edmunds.com/help/about/press/161506/article.html in your browser.

Collision Checklist

Every driver should have this check list in their glove compartment in case of an auto accident. That way they'll never make a wrong move during a really stressful time and situation.
Visit Rice Collision to see the very best the Piedmont Triad and Greensboro area has to offer when it comes to repairing your car and getting you back on the road quickly. Rice Collision repairs all makes and models and is a Toyota Certified Collision Center.

The Big Picture

6 Reasons to Tint Your Car Windows

Six Reasons to Tint Your Car Windows:

1. Avoid Overheating
Your car's interior can be 60% cooler during those hot summer days with proper tinting.
2. Protect Your Skin
Harmful UV rays from the sun can cause skin cancer. Tinting your car can block 99% of these damaging rays.
3. Accident Protection
In an auto accident, tinting can help shattered glass hold together, protecting the occupants of the car.
4. Safer Driving
Tinting reduces dangerous glare from the sun, snow, and other headlights, helping you drive safely.
5. Enhanced Privacy
Tinting protects your privacy and contents within a car. What a burglar can't see, he won't steal.
6. Prevent Cracking and Fading
Harmful UV rays and heat cause car upholstery to crack and fade. Car tint is sunscreen for your car.

Rice Toyota Accessories can tint your vehicle windows in less than one business day. Call 336-286-5232 and ask for Rick Wells or email rick.wells@ricetoyota.com

The All New 2011 Avalon

For 2011, Calty restyled Avalon to project an elegant, outgoing presence. A wider, more substantial grille ties into state-of-the-art projector headlamps, working with a broad, undisturbed front hood to suggest a lowered center of gravity and emphasize

The redesigned 2011 Avalon will begin arriving on our lot in spring 2010. Email our internet sales team today for more information and reserve your spot on the list. sales@ricetoyota.com

2010 Prius Voluntary Recall

Customer FAQ: Prius recall

1. What is the problem with the 2010 Prius?
The anti-lock brake system (ABS) in the 2010 model-year Prius, in normal
operation, engages and disengages rapidly (many times per second) as the control
system senses and reacts to tire slippage. Some owners have reported
experiencing inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady application of the
brakes on rough or slick road surfaces when the anti-lock brake system (ABS) is
activated in an effort to maintain tire traction.
2. How is Rice Toyota responding to this Prius issue?
Rice Toyota has run a list of all our customers who own a Prius affected by this recall. We are calling each and every one of them, if we cannot reach them by phone we will send them an email. We have already begun fixing 2010 Prius models. The fix takes less than 20 minutes. Please call our service department if you have any questions 336-288-1190.
3. Why does this only impact 2010 Prius models?
First- and second-generation Prius vehicles use a different ABS system and are
not involved in this campaign.

Scion tC 6.0 first look and deets

C Release Series 6.0
The tC RS 6.0 comes in a bright and eye-catching “Speedway Blue” exterior color. Accompanying the bright exterior color are the following enhancements:

Exclusive Body Side Graphic: Matte black featuring the RS 6.0 logo
Alpine Premium Audio with Navigation: Flashed with a sound curve unique for the RS 6.0 and includes: 4.3” touch screen, HD Radio, iPod/USB connectivity, 200-watt output, RCA outputs, flash-based global positioning satellite (GPS) navigation, turn-by-turn voice instructions, 3D map view option, and a tC RS 6.0 as the route guidance icon
Color-Tuned Seating Surface: Black fabric with blue color-tuned highlights
Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel: Leather-wrapped steering wheel finished with blue stitching
RS Badge: Individually-numbered, etched stainless steel badge

The tC Release Series 6.0 will be on display at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, starting February 10, 2010.

Letter to Our Customers

Click on the letter to make it bigger in a new window.

Classical Voice of NC features Rice Toyota’s “Sitkovetsky & Friends” Chamber Series

Time for Three Goes Chamber

by Tim Lindeman

January 22, 2010, Greensboro, NC: Time for Three —Zachary DePue and Nicholas Kendall (violins) and Ranaan Meyer (double bass)—joined five Greensboro Symphony Orchestra members in Rice Toyota’s “Sitkovetsky & Friends” Chamber Series Friday night. The quintet joining the string trio included Dmitry Sitkovetsky and John Fadial (violins), Scott Rawls and Noah Hock (violas), and Beth Vanderborgh (cello). Read More!

How Toyota Will Fix Recalled Vehicles

What is the solution Toyota announced to fix sticking accelerator pedals?

Toyota’s engineers have developed and rigorously tested a solution that is both effective and simple.
A precision-cut steel reinforcement bar will be installed into the accelerator pedal assembly, thereby eliminating the excess friction that has caused pedals to stick in rare instances.

What is the problem that could cause accelerators to stick and led to the recall?

The issue involves a friction device in the pedal designed to provide the proper “feel” by adding resistance and making the pedal steady and stable.

This friction device includes a “shoe” that rubs against an adjoining surface during normal pedal operation. Due to the materials used, wear and environmental conditions, these surfaces may, over time, begin to stick and release instead of operating smoothly. In some cases, friction could increase to a point that the pedal is slow to return to the idle position or, in rare cases, the pedal sticks, leaving the throttle partially open.
How does a steel reinforcement bar solve this problem?
The steel reinforcement bar will reduce the surface tension between the friction shoe and the adjoining surface. With this reinforcement in place, the excess friction that can cause the pedal to stick is eliminated.

How does Toyota know that this solution will be effective?

Nothing is more important to Toyota than the safety and satisfaction of our customers, and we have high confidence in our solution for fixing our customers’ vehicles. We have confirmed the effectiveness of the newly reinforced pedals through rigorous testing on pedal assemblies that had previously shown a tendency to stick.

When can I get my vehicle fixed?

We are beginning to contact customers to let them know when to bring in their vehicles for the fix, and some of them will be notified as early as this week.

At Toyota, our highest priority has been to quickly and effectively address the needs of owners of affected vehicles. Parts to reinforce the pedals are already being shipped for use by dealers.

How long will it take for a dealer to repair my automobile?

The actual repair involves about 30 minutes’ work.

Is the repair covered by warranty? Will drivers have to pay any money out of pocket for this work?

Toyota will cover all repair costs associated with this work.

Does the reinforced pedal feel any different?

Drivers should not notice any change in the feel of the pedal.

Is my car safe to drive if it has not yet received this solution?

To be clear, the condition is rare and generally does not occur suddenly. It can occur when the pedal mechanism becomes worn and, in certain conditions, the accelerator pedal may become harder to depress, slower to return or, in the worst case, stuck in a partially depressed position.

You should tell customers that if they experience an accelerator pedal that is hard to depress, slow to return or is unsmooth during operation, they should drive the vehicle to a safe location, shut off the engine and contact a Toyota dealer for assistance

You can also tell the customer that if he or she experiences an accelerator pedal that sticks in a partial open throttle position or returns slowly to idle position, the vehicle can be controlled with firm and steady application of the brakes. The brakes should not be pumped repeatedly because it could deplete vacuum assist, requiring stronger brake pedal pressure. The vehicle should be driven to the nearest safe location, the engine shut off and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance.

What if my vehicle is also affected by the floor mat recall? Which will be addressed first?

We are working to coordinate the pedal entrapment and the sticking pedal recalls to minimize the number of customers who will have to have two service visits.



What do I do if I experience a sticking accelerator pedal before my car receives the remedy? Should I bring my car to a dealer?


Customers who experience an accelerator pedal that is hard to depress, slow to return or is unsmooth during operation should drive the vehicle to a safe location, shut off the engine and contact a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance
Otherwise, no action is required at this time unless you feel you are experiencing this condition. We will begin contacting customers to let them know when to bring in their vehicles for the fix, and some of them will be notified as early as this week.



Can I return my vehicle to Toyota if I purchased it in the five-day period between when the recall was announced and Toyota stopped the sale on my vehicle? What are my options?

Toyota will work with customers who have concerns about their new vehicles on a case-by-case basis. Customer should also contact the Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.



Which models are affected by the sticky accelerator pedal recall/stop sale?

Toyota’s accelerator pedal recall and suspension of sales is confined to the following Toyota Division vehicles:



* Certain 2009-2010 RAV4,

* Certain 2009-2010 Corolla,

* 2009-2010 Matrix,

* 2005-2010 Avalon,

* Certain 2007-2010 Camry,

* Certain 2010 Highlander,

* 2007-2010 Tundra,

* 2008-2010 Sequoia



Highlander hybrids and Camry hybrids are not affected by this action and will remain for sale.



Further, Camry, RAV 4, Corolla and Highlander vehicles with VINs that begin with "J" are not affected.

What is a “VIN” and how do I find it on my automobile?
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a 17-character sequence of numbers and letters that is used by the automobile industry to uniquely identify motor vehicles. It can be viewed through the windshield on the driver’s side at the front of the dashboard.

In addition, the VIN number is also located on a sticker located the driver’s side pillar, with the tire inflation information and on the vehicle’s registration.
Why are mechanically similar Lexus and Scion vehicles not affected by this recall?
The recall affected pedal is confined to one of Toyota’s suppliers. That supplier’s pedals are not used on Lexus and Scion vehicles.