Anyone shopping for a new or used vehicle knows that one of the first steps to do when actually looking at the physical vehicle is to perform a set of safety checks. Many Toyota cars, trucks, and SUVs come with excellent safety features. If you happen to be purchasing a new or used vehicle of a different make or model you may want to follow the safety checklist below.

1.    Look into the crash test ratings. These ratings, in particular, are what many insurance companies look into when deciding coverage costs. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or IIHS, actually conducts its own series of crash tests on vehicles.

2.    Look at the crash test ratings given by the National Highway Safety Administration. These test results are rated on a five star scale. The more stars a vehicle is given for a particular test, the better it held up during the collision. You may even want to compare the crash test ratings between NHTSA and IIHS.

3.    If you are considering an SUV pay attention to the Electronic Stability Control system. This system is designed to keep the vehicle on path when turning a corner at an accelerated speed. This will essentially prevent the vehicle from tipping.

4.    Rollover resistance is something to consider when looking at purchasing a taller vehicle, such as, a pick-up truck or SUVs. There will be a rating for sedans, as well, but it is more important for larger, taller vehicles.

5.    Make sure the vehicle has an antilock brake system, or ABS. This comes standard on most new vehicles but may not on an older, used model. This provides assistance during a quick stop.

6.    Determine if it has any accident avoidance assistance. This will help you in the instance of a potential collision.

7.    Obviously, make sure the vehicle is equipped with air bags. These will be imperative in keeping possible physical damage during a collision to a minimum.

8.    Make sure the vehicle has working safety belts for all passengers.

9.    Check the head restraints. Make sure they are in proper working order and don’t have any obvious damage. They should have a snug fit and show no signs of malfunction or previous damage.

10.    Finally, inspect the child restraint system. Most new vehicles have a latch system that provides for easy installation of child seats. If the vehicle does not have a latch system, make sure the seat belts have the locking mode that would be necessary for safe child seat installation.

One of the biggest questions about hybrids is “How long does a Hybrid Battery Last and what are the replacements costs, many questions originate from consumers being unfamiliar with the battery technology in hybrid vehicles.  People don’t usually go around asking; “how long will the engine in my car last”  because we just assume that engines are built to last the duration of the life of the car.

The problem with hybrid batteries is that they have only been around for 10 years-11 if you consider Japan’s first Prius.  No one really knows for sure how long hybrid batteries will last, but we do know that so far they are holding up very well.  The first Prius was developed in 2000-2001 model year and so far the hybrid systems are NOT failing.

Here in the U.S. the warranty on the hybrid battery covers 8 years or 100,000 miles. In a California-emission state, the hybrid battery pack in a 2004-current Prius is further covered under the CA emissions warranty for 10 years/150,000 miles. If for some reason you do need to replace the hybrid battery out of warranty, your Toyota dealer should offer you a $200 rebate on it, to ensure that it gets properly recycled.

Used Prius hybrid battery packs (from wrecked vehicles) have been selling for less than $1000 on eBay.

The price for new Prius hybrid batteries has recently come down. They used to be priced at $2985, but now for the 2001-2003 model year it is $2299 and the 2004-current model year is $2588.

The Prius battery has been designed to maximize battery life by keeping the battery at an optimum charge level – never fully draining it and never fully recharging it. There is lab data showing longevity of the battery with the equivalent of 180,000 miles having no deterioration. Since the car went on sale in 2000, Toyota has not replaced a single battery for wear and tear.

When you are ready to purchase your Toyota hybrid, visit your local Toyota Dealer, Spirit Toyota in St. Louis.