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The tourists that were here for golf are long gone, but we have our own “green” for you to try! Through the end of the month, our Toyota Parts Department has turned into an easy and unique one-hole course. The rules are simple: try your hand at our careful setup, and in one lucky stroke, you could win. No playoffs here. All it takes is one try for you to have a shot at cash and prizes from Milton Ruben Toyota. So, when you’re in for service this month, and you get tired of the free coffee, the many TVs, the complimentary computers and the loaded Showroom, we invite you to take a stroll down the hill to our Parts Department. You may drive away a winner (although we know you always feel like a winner at Milton Ruben).

As many of our frequenter customers know, we have established a new Kid's Corner in our Service Lounge to keep the littler customers of ours entertained and (hopefully) prevent them from driving their parents bonkers. To kick off this little project of ours, we've decided to hold a coloring contest!  All of our littler customers who color us a pretty Toyota Kids picture, and give us contact information will be entered to win! As family people ourselves, we know how hectic this time of year can get preparing for the upcoming school year - not to mention the expense! This is why our grand prize winner will be awarded for their hard work and creativity with a fully loaded Toyota Bookbag! All you have to do is ask our Toyota Parts Advisor at the Toyota Parts Counter in the Service Lounge for a coloring sheet, and get to work!  Get your mom, dad, grandparent, aunt, uncle, older brother or sister, or legal guardian to fill out the contact sheet (so we can let you know if you won), and let us hang up your masterpiece! Easy peasy!  We will also be choosing weekly winners every Wednesday! So get in here and put on your creativity hat so we can get started!   *Age limitations and parameters apply. Ask a Toyota Parts Advisor for more details.* This post and graphic are by Milton Ruben Social Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

You'll never meet a Toyota Tacoma owner who doesn't absolutely love their truck. And it is perfect just the way it is. But if you do want a little more sparkle and shine, we are, as always, here with a few modifications available to you and your Tacoma, with the help of Toyota Sales Manager and Tacoma owner Jeff Hennen. #TacomaTough Part 1: Hood Protector and LED DayTime Running Lights With the ClearCoat paint protection available on all Toyotas these days, you may think getting a hood protector is a little over the top.  But the hood protector does so much more for your Tacoma, protecting your hood from excessive road wear like small rocks, and your windshield from potential scratches or breakage from road debris and bugs. LED lights are extremely bright for low-light situations like cloudy days, and save you battery power. #TacomaTough Part 2: Lifts, Levels, Tires, & Wheels For a higher or more aggressive appearance, the Tacoma is widely customizable with a variety of lift and leveling kits, as well as a variety of wheels and tires to choose from, including mud tires and customized wheels. #TacomaTough Part 3: Running Boards You can also step it up to your lifted Tacoma with the help of customizable Running Boards, available with perfect fit to your Tacoma year and trim to make stepping into your higher presence vehicle a little easier.  Chrome can add some flash as well to polish a little more finish on your beauty of a small truck with a big personality. #TacomaTough Part 4: Camper Shells For more protection and containment of your cargo, there are plenty of options for a Camper Shell to cover the truck bed of your Tacoma.  This one, from LEED, is insulated, with a sliding window to connect to your cab.  This particular camper shell is also lockable to secure your Tacoma's cargo. #TacomaTough Part 5: Bed Liners and Mats Being a Taco owner himself, Jeff Hennen knows how frustrating it can be when your cargo slides around in the truck bed. This is why he's customized his truck with the help of a Bed Liner and Weather Mat, not only securing his cargo, but also protecting his knees when he climbs into the bed to retrieve it.  The Weather Mat's rubberized texture also assists in these points, and the water-resistant structure makes it easy to clean in the case of spills. Thanks for watching our series on how to customize your Tacoma and make it even tougher! To stay up to date on other ways to make your vehicle experiences better, follow us on Facebook, Google, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.   You may also be interested in learning about our New Owner's Clinic, where we feature Q&As with our Service and Parts teams, as well as the newest accessories for your vehicle. Video and post by Milton Ruben Social Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

Buying vehicles is such an exciting experience, people oftentimes are overwhelmed with information once the salesperson starts teaching about the features on your new car. This is why we have started our New Owner’s Clinic, for recent buyers who have questions about their warranty, parts & accessories, routine maintenance, technology, or anything else. And as a thank you for your purchase and attendance, dinner is on us! Here’s a synopsis of our first New Owner’s Clinic at Milton Ruben Toyota in April of 2015! Did you miss it? Get in touch with your salesperson to find out about our next New Owners Clinic! Must be recent buyer of a vehicle from Milton Ruben Toyota to attend. See some cool Parts & Accessories go to work on a Toyota Tacoma in our #TacomaTough customization series! Video, photos, and post by Milton Ruben Social Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

One of our local news stations interviewed New Yorkers on what they think of when they think "Augusta, GA" and the responses were no surprise - a lot of southern cookin' and The Master's. With the infamous golf tournament fast approaching, we decided to help people practice their swing with our very own Hole-In-One Putting Competition! From now until the Saturday before Masters, we will have a putting green set up in the Toyota Guest Lounge, where you can try your hand at a Hole-In-One! All contestants who succeed on the first try will win a Key Fob Cover and an entry for an Ogio Itza X-tra Light Golf Bag with an Accessory Kit! The golf bag features a number of pockets and compartments, including an easy access magnetized golf ball pocket and an extra light stand! The accessories kit includes a visor, golf balls, sunglasses, and more, with the whole gift valued at over $250!  We will draw a name from a hat of our Hole-In-One contestants in Milton Ruben Toyota Parts on Saturday, April 4th, 2015 to choose our Hole-In-One Putting Competition winner! Our new GM, Chuck Easters, gave the putting green a swing to warm it up...... And got a Hole-In-One on the first try!                 What do you have to lose but a short, slow stroke of practice for the upcoming golf season?? Stay in the loop by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google! Photos and graphic by Milton Ruben Social Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

We know you want to take advantage of all the fancy bells and whistles on your new vehicle! That's why we sat down with one of our Certified Salespeople from each of our dealerships to show you how to pair your phone to bluetooth and gain access to such features as hands-free calling, messaging, music streaming, and more!  Check 'em out! Toyota - How to Pair Your Phone to the Entune Digital Information System on your Toyota See more about Milton Ruben Toyotas on our YouTube Channel. Mopar - How to Pair Your Phone to the UConnect Digital Information System on your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, or Ram vehicle See more about our Mopar products on our YouTube Channel. Chevy - How to Pair Your Phone to the Chevy MyLink Digital Information System on your Chevrolet vehicle See more about our Chevy products on our YouTube Channel. To stay up to date on our How To videos and get the most out of your Toyota, Scion, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, or Chevrolet vehicle, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google!   If you have other Auto How-To questions, check out our How To channel on youtube! Videos and post by Milton Ruben Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

For whatever reason, we like to pressure ourselves every year in the hunt for the perfect Valentine's Gift for your special someone, and we frequently will break the bank doing it.  This year, skip the cookie calories, the chocolate sugar rush, the blinding bling, and the flower allergic reactions and get your special someone (or thing) something truly special - a car part or accessory!  We have a few ideas for every budget to get those creative motors rolling and help cupid string a heart arrow on his bow to let love fly with these fun suggestions from our Parts Department! For The "Truck Guy or Gal:" $$$ - Big trucks are a signature of the South! Help your honey get up there with a lift kit! $$ - Who doesn't love to get a little mud on the tires? The problem comes when the mud gets INSIDE the truck! For those love and muddin' moments, we suggest Weather Tech mats! Laser defined and built to precision for your exact model, Weather Tech mats protect the upholstery of your vehicle from becoming the collateral damage. $ - Express yourself and protect your hitch with a custom hitch cover flaunting your team, military branch, or alma mater! For the Jeep Head: $$$ - All Jeeple take pride in the tracks they leave - and Jeep's latest project is to let you leave those tracks right on the hood of your Jeep! Pre-order a custom trail map hood for your honey's Jeep to express the love of where they've been, and where you're going together. (Cue "Awe"s - and yes, you can use that on the card when you deliver your awesome gift!) $$ - The beautiful part of being a Jeep owner is that you get to personalize your vehicle. A custom wheel cover on your baby's Wrangler can add just a little extra touch to the personal Jeep! For the Muscle Maniac: $$$ - Performance Packages or Brembo brakes - if you've got the cash and you want to spend it on your sweetheart, you will send their heart a revving with one of these powerful modifications! (But check to make sure they don't already have one!) $$ - Take a page from my book - I gifted my then boyfriend, now fiance with custom color protective mats for his muscle car that match the obnoxious orange he holds so dear! Now his muscle car is show-ready! $ - Can't afford a whole shifter? How about a custom shift knob? From the freaky to the humorous to the classic, shift knobs vary in cost from $12 - hundreds, and make the perfect "I care" gesture. For The SuperMom: $$$ - Oh honey. In this case, it's time to invest in some serious "thank you" bling - she deserves it! $$ - We're going back to Weather Tech mats again! They come right out and can be hosed down! Seriously - hosed down! Easiest clean up post soccer game/ celebratory drive through ice cream in the car ever! $ - We have two options for this category - a cargo net, for all of the piles of the kid's stuff that flies everywhere in the trunk, and rain guards (aka: window visors) to protect upholstery from the rain when the kids forget to roll up that cracked window in the summer. There you have it! Gift ideas for every car person in your life to fit every budget! Just call or visit our parts department to learn how to access these gifts for your sweetheart! To stay in touch with other fun tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google! This post was written by Milton Ruben Superstore Social Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

You accidentally hit "off" instead of "snooze" on the alarm.  The shower water took forever to warm up, the shirt you planned to wear is actually still crumpled at the bottom of the dirty clothes pile, you're out of coffee, and the kids are still in their pajamas when you need to be walking out of the door.  As if all of this isn't enough, it's also winter, and the South finally decided to express it with a nice layer of frost over your car. Hopefully you read this post, and you have plenty of options in your arsenal to ensure that ice doesn't slow you down on your already-late-for-everything day.  No matter what your budget, location, or car knowledge, it is possible for your vehicle to be completely defrosted and safe to drive by the time the toddler is hooked into her car seat and the teenager is bugging you for driving lessons.  In fact, you can put that kid to work by demonstrating these tips, they're so easy! COVER IT UP On an otherwise dry evening, frost and ice forms from the dew that settles and freezes as temperatures plummet overnight.  You can have that dew settle on something else rather than your windows by simply inserting a barrier. You can purchase a commercial tarp or cover for $15-$50 at most vehicle maintenance shops, but they don't tend to stay stocked down here, so you can try your own as well.  Blankets, towels, folded sheets, even newspapers can help keep your windshields free of Frozen! (We can't say the same about the DVD player in the back.) WATER Be careful with this one, folks.  If you decide to pour a bucket of water over your windshield to help melt the ice, make sure you're in the right conditions to do so.  For one, don't use cold water - that might just freeze over the frost and give you a thicker layer of ice to chip through.  Don't use boiling or hot water either - the extreme temperature changes could have a significantly negative impact on the glass.  As in, a shattering experience.  IF you decide to use water (since it's easily accessible to everyone), use lukewarm water and very quickly wipe down the windshield after dispensing a bucket over it.  And if it's less than 25F out, just toss this idea altogether and watch the icicles form as the water hits the frigid air. CONCOCTIONS Some brilliant people who probably grew up in Minnesota or Michigan invented this spectacular stuff that squirts out of a bottle and literally MELTS ice!  You can sometimes buy this inexpensive commercial concoction where you get the rest of your maintenance materials, but you might have better lucky ordering online or having your cousin in Minnesota sending you a bottle.  Or you could just make your own by filling a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and adding a few squirts of dish soap (mix well, don't shake).  Also known as hand sanitizer. SURROUND THE ICE If you're anything like me, you're number one concern when you leave the house is to get to the car as quickly as possible, climb inside, crank the heat, and try not to think to hard about going back in for a pair of gloves.  Lucky for you, there is an option to help that defroster move along a little.  Turn the heat all the way up, the defroster all the way on (don't forget the rear defroster if you have it), and place your hand on the top of the window.  This could leave a hand print on the glass (which can be cleaned up later with some window cleaner), but the warmth of your hand will act as a second defroster, sending heat through the glass and melting the ice at the top, while the car helps melt from the bottom, doubling the speed and keeping you inside the car. REMOTE START If you've ever wondered "Why would I ever need to start the car before I'm in it?" this is the answer to that question.  If the weatherman is calling for frost, turn the temperature gauges to heat and defrost before you go in for the night.  The next morning, you can turn the engine on while you're still zipping up the kid's coats and distributing lunch boxes.  By the time you get everyone buckled in and ready to go, so is the vehicle. HOW NOT TO DE-ICE YOUR WINDSHIELD With Cold or Boiling Water Cold water could freeze over the top of your windshield, especially if it's particularly cold out.  Boiling water could shatter your windshield from the excessive temperature difference. With Salt Water Up North, they use Road Salt to melt ice and snow and make the roads easier to navigate, right? So it would only make sense to use that, right? Wrong.  Salt is bad for your car.  There's really no getting around that.  It causes corrosion, rust, and creates damage that can only be replaced - not undone.  This is why people from the frigid areas of the country tend to keep their nice vehicles cooped up in the garage during their Great White Winters. With a Credit Card Often used as an ice scraper for those that can't find theirs, Credit Cards offer a stiff, flat edge to get under the ice and chip away at it. Not only is this time-consuming, but you could scratch the glass by wearing down the curved edges of the card into a sharper, knife-like blade and cutting into the windshield.  Dropping it in drifts of slush and ice is also pretty easy, and would mean you have a long morning of calling to cancel said card and re-order another. You're going to need that Credit Card to buy a cup of hot cocoa once you're done freezing your hands off chipping away at ice. Not Do It Frost and ice are significant visual blocks.  Don't put yourself and your passengers in danger because you're in a hurry.  Be safe, be responsible, and use one of these easy tips to de-ice your car. OTHER HELPFUL TIPS Clear the grill of any ice or snow to make sure ventilation to the engine prevents overheating Vinegar could prevent frost from forming When you frost is coming, lift your windshield wipers off of the windshield and cover them with socks to prevent ice from damaging the rubber Ask your Service Advisor for advice   For more helpful tips on car safety, maintenance, and news, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, and Google. This post was written by Milton Ruben Superstore Social Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

Recalls are confusing stuff.  What do you have to do? What does it mean? What part could do what to where? That letter that arrives from the manufacturer is long, wordy, and who has time to google every other word to figure out what its trying to say? Like we said, figuring out what to do with a recall can seem like complicated stuff.  We understand how frustrating the process can be when you aren't sure what to expect or you're worried your vehicle might not be safe if you don't helo-vac your it to our Service Lane for repairs ASAP.  And we want to settle your mind.  So we started a Recall Video Series, so you'll know what to do with your recall, what to expect when you bring your recall to the service lane, and whether or not you should be worried. CHRYSLER, INC. RECALL P14: BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to call your Service Advisor!   And stay tuned for more updates on our Recall Video Series on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Google!

We have a few job openings! Here's one of them: Toyota Product Specialist The Product Specialist will build relationships with customers while discovering their needs and concerns. Demonstrate ability to work collaboratively in a team focused environment to ensure the ongoing growth of the business. Job Responsibilities: Meet and greet customers Ability to build rapport with customers Fact finding and information gathering Demonstrate mastery of product knowledge and specs Present and demonstrate vehicle features to customer, to include test driving Other reasonable duties as may be requested Requirements: 2 to 3 years customer service and/or sales experience in a high volume industry Outstanding written and verbal communication skills General knowledge of the automotive industry Customer focused Energetic Self-motivated Ability to work evenings until 8:00 PM Ability to work some Saturdays as business needs dictate Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record Must 21+ for insurance purposes What You'll Receive: We reward our Product Specialists through a competitive, hourly wage plus opportunities for bonuses; medical/dental/vision/life insurance benefits in less than 90 days; voluntary short and long term disability; paid vacation and sick days; 401k plan with company match; and employee discounts on parts and service. How to Apply: Please apply in person on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am-2pm. Ask for one of the following hiring managers: Mark Benfatto, Jeff Hennen, Robert Law. Dress in professional attire, and be prepared to interview.  You may also forward your resume and cover letter to Human Resources at kbentley@miltonruben.com.     To stay updated on other job postings, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google, and Instagram!

We've been conducting a few polls here and there to find out what you want to see from us in your newsfeed.  The most popular answers were "Information on vehicles," "Advice on how to better care for my car," and " Coupons and Specials." Well we've been hard at work for the last few weeks stocking up on walk-around videos to answer your questions about the new cars we keep in stock, helping you make a decision about what car is best for you.  We also continued our Service Video series conducted by our Service Managers and Service Advisors to help you take better care of your vehicle, helping it hold value longer, and keeping you safer.  Now to tackle the last request! Here's a couple specials we have running in our Service Lanes and Parts Departments right now: And in the future, you can stay up-to-date on other ways we're trying to save you money by checking the " Specials " tab at www.drivebaby.com! Also, we'll start posting more of these specials on our social media networks to keep you in-the-know on when the best time is to buy or have service done on your vehicle. Keep giving us more suggestions! We are striving to have the best customer service in the CSRA!  You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google, Instagram, and LinkedIn! This post was written by Milton Ruben Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

October 24, 2012 - The day that speed demons everywhere cried with joy.  The day that Chrysler Inc. decided to pursue the concept of the powerful Hellcat (that may not be true). The day that Texas announced their 85-mph speed limit on Hwy 130. Possibly the day that hundreds of car-enthusiasts decided to upgrade their tires. "Tires?? Why would they buy new tires??", you ask. Good question.  The answer? The tire's speed rating. On the far right, in pink and purple, is the tire's "service description," consisting of load rate, and speed rating. Speed rating is what kind of miles per hour a tire is capable of withstanding.  Think of it in the sense of the term, "burning rubber."  When a tire meets the road, it does so continuously, over and over again as it carries your vehicle across a stretch of distance.  This creates friction, thus heat.  The faster you go, the more the tire meets the road, the more friction, the more heat. Alas, the term "burning rubber." Found in the alphanumeric "service description" next to a tire's size on the sidewall, speed rating is assessed from a lab test by the manufacturer where the tire is applied to a large metal drum at the pressure that equates to the load rating.  The tire is spun against the drum at increasing speeds in ten minute intervals until the necessary speed limit is met.  That number is represented by a letter. It should be noted that these gradings assume the tire has not been damaged, is within tread life, is properly inflated, and that routine maintenance (ie: rotation) has been kept up. Now before you start hyperventilating that you need a "Z"-rated tire on your minivan, keep in mind that most cars have a "top" speed they can reach before they max out.  It would be kind of worthless to equip your Sienna with Z(Y) tires when the fastest it can reach is 120 mph.  (Which makes it the perfect vehicle for your driver-in-training teenager, right?)  Save your money for that freedom cruise when the kid finally turns 18 - for you, not them.  Conversely, it's not a good idea to put a lower-rated tire on a higher-rated vehicle.  This is why it's suggested you only ride on the spare tire for a day or two at lower speeds - it really can't handle much more than that. Of course, if you are, hypothetically, one of these mythical speed demons (because no one ever really tests out the reaches of their muscle engine, surely), then some crazies in the tire industry brought us the "Z-series."  As you can see in the infographic, Z-rated tires are then expanded into three levels.  These tires have the best grip and stopping power, but when (hypothetically) used to their purpose, have a very weak tread life.  Yes, these are the tires the Nascar drivers have to change every twelve left turns - because they've quite literally burned off the tread. (Whoa.) Ever seen those shredded tires on the interstate left in the wake of an 18-wheeler? That's the fate of a tire not properly rated to the weight and speed of it's automobile.  For a semi, it has a multitude of back-ups.  For you, the results could be fatal.  A safe rule of thumb is to stay with the speed rating chosen by your vehicle's manufacturer, or, as always, consult an expert. There you have it.  The last of our four primary components that define the perfect tire for your ride.  We've smoothed out the points of ride quality, lengthened the life of your tire, bundled you up for inclement weather tires, and, finally, given you a quick recap of speed rating.  Hopefully these basics will help you in your next tire-search.  Of course, these are still only a small slice of the pie that is complicated tire formulas, but maybe now the words our tire experts are saying will make a little more sense - saving you time in your next visit. To stay in loop on our "How To" and tutorial blogs, follow us on Facebook and Twitter! This post, including graphics, was created by Milton Ruben Social Media Specialist, Heather Cortright.