Toyota VSC Light As certified Toyota mechanics we always want to keep our customers, new and old, informed of warning lights they may encounter. The VSC light or Vehicle Stability Control is a safety feature that allows your Toyota to maintain traction and control by reducing power sent to up to three wheels. The system is in place to optimize safety, prevent run-off road crashes and mitigate conditions that may lead to single-vehicle accidents or rollovers.  Before giving us a call here is a step-by-step to verify if your VSC light is engaged. The button is located either by your steering wheel or by your shifter (depending on the model year of your Toyota) and has the same icon as the light on the dash. Upon locating the button, make sure you are completely stopped and put the vehicle in park. Press and hold the VSC button for 5 seconds. The TRAC off and VSC off indicator will illuminate, both systems are no ... read more

Understanding your High Voltage (HV) Battery: Battery Type and Cooling System  The first High Voltage or HV, direct current batteries used in Hybrids for mass production were Nickel Metal Hydride or NiMH batteries. As Hybrids and EVs evolved Lithium-Ion batteries became the standard allowing for extended range and increased electromotive force more commonly known as voltage. The trade-off of a larger battery is the need to cool the battery and mitigate the increased weight on the front suspension of the vehicle.  Cooling the battery is paramount especially in South Florida and each brand has it's own system ranging from natural cooling used in Nissan Leaf, the use of a blower fan in the Prius and Ford Fusion models, liquid coolant for the Chevy Volt battery which is mounted under the vehicle and the unique design of the BMW i3 which uses a refrigerated, yes the same refrigerant used for the AC system, to keep the battery cool.  A Tesla High Voltage ... read more

With the rise of hybrid vehicles, more and more people are making the switch to EV. While this is helping many save on gas, reduce their carbon footprint, and drive a cleaner car, there are a few differences between a hybrid and a traditional gasoline vehicle that should be known. One of the most innovative features of a hybrid is the brake system. Known as the regenerative brake system, a hybrid’s brakes are much different than standard brakes. Today, we are going to look at how hybrid braking systems differ from standard brakes. What Is Regenerative Braking? Regenerative brake is braking technology used on hybrid and electric vehicles to recharge the batteries that power the vehicle while assisting the hydraulic brake system to stop them. As the EV or hybrid driver lets their foot off of the accelerator or applies the brake pedal, the electric motor spin in reverse, acting as a generator that recharges the battery. This energy is also used to apply resistance to the wheels to ... read more

With the popularity of electric vehicles and hybrids growing by the day, there are more choices for EV vehicles than those powered only by batteries. You can find a wide variety of different setups in these vehicles, and today, we are going to look at the EV, HEV, Extended EV, and the BEV. What Is EV/BEV? An EV and BEV is an electric vehicle and does not contain an internal combustion engine. These vehicles run solely on battery power and can be charged at home using a Level 1 or Level 2 EV charger. Some may be able to use the more powerful Level 3 chargers designed for use in a commercial charging station. EVs can travel much further than hybrid vehicles on a single charge as they do not rely on an internal combustion engine’s assistance.  What Is HEV? An HEV is a hybrid electric vehicle and has both a gas-powered engine and an electric motor to drive the vehicle. The energy for the battery comes from a regenerative brake system. Regenerative brake systems allow you to ... read more

On vehicles 1996 and newer, reprogramming or flashing a car's computer is a great way to keep its engine control modules, or ECU, up to date. The ECU in a vehicle helps components such as the power train and fuel injectors function properly. When your vehicle's programming is optimized, it will run cleaner and more efficiently. Why Does My Vehicle Need To Be Programmed? For those looking to get the most power output for their vehicle, reprogramming the computer is an easy way to do so. Think of an ECU reprogram like a software update for a computer. Over the years, your car's computer can become overly sensitive and affect the driveability of your car. An issue with the PCM, or powertrain control module, can cause a check engine light to illuminate on your instrument cluster. As an example, the EGR, or exhaust gas recirculation system, can be controlled by the PCM, and if it is not responding properly, it may need to be reprogrammed to get rid of your ch ... read more