It’s not easy finding parking in most big cities. As more and more drivers take to the roads, there are fewer and fewer spaces available, according to a 2011 IBM Global Parking Survey. IBM concluded that worldwide it can take about twenty minutes to find a parking space. 30% of traffic in big cities is estimated to come solely from drivers looking for a space. To make matters worse, IBM’s survey concluded that one in four drivers had gotten into an argument with another over a parking space.

As difficult as it is to find a parking space, here are some ways we at DCH Toyota of Oxnard think you can make life a little easier when planning a trip to the city.

Consult shops and/or businesses that you know you will be visiting. If you need to collect something or drop something off, they should be able to tell you where the nearest available parking is likely to be. If you are very lucky, they may even have their own spaces that you can use for a short time or will be able to offer you a discount on the cost of a parking space. They can also warn you about parking that has limited room or is very expensive.

If you are making a more general trip, then harness the power of technology before you go and search online for the best parking spaces. Sites such as BestParking.Com are a great source of information for most big cities, and you can normally search for the best rates on a daily or monthly basis. Many of these sites also offer a mobile app for smartphone users, which means that you can do your research even without a computer, or ask one of your passengers to check for you if you are driving.

More and more satellite navigation systems are now starting to offer more advanced search capabilities, which can allow you to get directions to facilities, including car parks. The great thing about searching this way is that you will already be on the move, and the satellite navigation will be able to give you directions to quickly and efficiently find the parking lot. The only downside, of course, is that they will not be able to tell you if there are any spaces free. The same goes for the traditional paper map, which is normally clearly marked to show public car parks in major cities.

If all else fails, then speculative searching may take longer but is likely to bear fruit in the end. Most major car parks are signposted around cities, and if you pick streets that are a little further out of the very center, you are more likely to find spaces. Be careful when choosing street parking spaces, as regulations may strictly control the times of day and/or maximum duration for which you can park. You don’t really want to get a parking ticket, after all.

If you’re visiting a big city, then it pays to check out the parking BEFORE you travel. Use all available resources to identify two or three possibilities, and reduce the amount of time wasted searching alongside all the other drivers.

Many different recipes exist for St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes. This simple recipe utilizes pistachio pudding mix to give the cupcakes a pretty pastel color and a mild flavor, and handcrafted gummy shamrocks made from green gumdrops top off these festive treats. In addition to the ingredients listed below, you’ll need a rolling pin and a small heart-shaped cookie cutter (about 1 ½ inches across) to craft the green shamrocks. Whether it’s your turn to make the class party treat or contribute to the holiday bake sale, or if you just want to make something fun for your family to enjoy at home, we at DCH Toyota of Oxnard think these St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock cupcakes are sure to delight.

The directions for this recipe for St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Cupcakes are presented in three parts below. You’ll have time to prepare the cream cheese frosting and shamrocks while your cupcakes are baking or cooling. This recipe makes one dozen cupcakes, but you can easily double or even triple your ingredients to make more of these fun, festive goodies.

St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Cupcakes

Total prep time: 1 hour, plus cooling
Active time: 40 minutes
Inactive time: 20 minutes, plus cooling
Yield or number served: 12 cupcakes

Ingredients

For cupcakes:
1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
1 (3.4-ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 ¼ cup 2% milk
1 cup plus 3 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For cream cheese frosting and shamrocks:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
¼ cup butter, softened
1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Green food coloring, optional
Green gumdrops, for shamrocks

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place 12 muffin cups in a greased muffin tin and lightly grease the cups.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, Pistachio pudding mix, baking powder, and salt and stir to mix.

3. In a small bowl, beat the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring just to combine.

4. Fill each muffin cup three-fourths full and place the pan in the oven to bake 18-22 minutes, or until the cupcakes have set and a toothpick comes out clean.

5. Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

6. Frost cupcakes using prepared cream cheese frosting.

For the frosting:

1. Cream the cream cheese and butter in a medium mixing bowl using an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Stir in the vanilla, then gradually add in confectioners’ sugar and stir until blended.

For shamrocks:

1. Using a rolling pin, flatten 3-4 gumdrops. If candies are sticking, sprinkle a little sugar on rolling pin.

2. Cut a heart shape from each flattened candy using the cookie cutter.

3. Arrange the green candy hearts together on the top of a frosted cupcake to create a shamrock. Use 3 hearts for a traditional shamrock or 4 to create a lucky four-leaf clover.

4. Using a sharp knife, cut a small stem from the excess flattened candy, and position below the hearts.

5. Repeat this process until all 12 cupcakes have candy shamrocks.

Remember back in the day when the only way to get information on automobiles was to buy magazines with girls in bikinis washing motorcycles on the cover? With the advent of the Internet, the two subjects were separated. With the advent of social media, the automotive information comes to you. Here are 10 automotive Facebook pages we at DCH Toyota of Oxnard think are worth following.

1. Autoblog.com. Interested in Andre Agassi’s customized, Hemi-powered Jeep Wrangler? If you followed Autoblog.com’s Facebook page, you’d have known it was on eBay. Not just any auto blog, Autoblog.com “obsessively” follows the automotive industry, featuring car reviews, auto shows, eBay’s find of the day, and more.
2. WorldCarFans. WorldCarFans.com is an online magazine that features “daily editorial coverage of emerging products and industry news, spy photos, motor shows, high resolution photos, videos, and more.” Follow their Facebook page to see photos of cars you’ll probably never drive. It doesn’t hurt to dream.
3. Car and Driver Magazine. Even those with little interest in cars other than it getting them to and from work five mornings a week know that a car that lands on the Car and Driver top automobile lists is a car worth owning. That’s just one reason the Car and Driver Facebook page is a page worth following.
4. Motor Trend Magazine. Auto manufacturers covet the Motor Trend Car of the Year award, which is why those who want the latest automotive news covet Motor Trend’s Facebook page. Unlike winning the Motor Trend Car of the Year award, however, anyone can gain access to Motor Trend’s Facebook page.
5. Conceptcarz.com. Conceptcarz specializes in following vehicles from concept to production. Its in-depth look at automobiles features high-interest automobiles such as the Popemobile, a 1955 Scuderia Lancia, and a 1971 Porsche Spyder as well as automobiles coming out in the next few months.
6. Edmunds.com. Edmunds claims you can “enhance your research and shopping experience by connecting with Facebook to get advice from your friends and local car experts.” In addition to researching your next car, Edmunds invites you to review your current or past vehicles.
7. Motor Authority. Whether you own a high-performance or luxury car or just like to dream, Motor Authority is the authority to consult. Unlike similar blogs, Motor Authority focuses on the products as opposed to industry news. And unlike most Facebook friends who make things up to impress you, the cars on Motor Authority actually exist.
8. Jalopnik. With thousands of websites and magazines on cars, it’s difficult to carve out a niche. That’s why Jalopnik has been so successful. Jalopnik is “obsessed with the cult of cars” and their Facebook page allows others with like obsession to share their opinion on topics like the coolest cars of all time that never happened, a rapper destroying his Lamborghini, and the best and worst cars you’ve driven.
9. Autoweek. Autoweek has been online since 1995. It’s obvious their vision includes the use of newer technology to share car news, photos, reviews, and more.
10. Road and Track. Road and Track provides car news, photos, reviews, and a car lovers community. Get behind-the-scenes peeks at luxury and cutting-edge automobiles years before they’re unveiled. Follow their Facebook page to find this information first.

The Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car of all time, so it’s clear that the company knows what it’s doing with that secret recipe. That’s why, after several generations of similar Corollas, we are so excited to see a brand-new concept for the esteemed model.

Revealed at the 2013 North American International Auto Show, the design heir is the striking 2013 Corolla Furia Concept.  According to an official Toyota press release hosted on Autoblog, the Furia was created as an exterior styling study as part of the company’s goal to create more expressive and dramatic vehicles.

Toyota says the theme of the Furia was “Iconic Dynamism,” which meant keeping the surface elements pure and simple, for a signature look that would instantly appeal to younger consumers. The face of the concept features narrow headlights, an eight-sided grill, and vertical marker lights, while the rear continues the sporty theme and adds arrow-shaped LED taillights. Autoblog notes that the Furia isn’t much longer or wider, but it does ride lower and extends the wheelbase by almost four inches.

One thing is for certain – it’s certainly caught our eye! Don’t forget to stay tuned to future DCH Toyota of Oxnard newsletters as we keep you updated on the Furia Concept and all other breaking Toyota news!

True physical fitness takes a genuine commitment to a healthy lifestyle. And though most people mean well when they start a diet or exercise program, it can be frustrating when the results don’t seem to match the amount of work put in. Let DCH Toyota of Oxnard help you avoid the frustration and disappointment of coming up short on your goals by warning you about the five biggest fitness mistakes.

#5: Setting the wrong goals

The first step to avoid disappointment when trying to reach your goals is to make sure there isn’t a problem with the goals themselves. If your goals are not realistic, you’ll automatically set yourself up for failure and disappointment, even if you’re able to stick to a consistent routine and diet. On the other hand, if your goals aren’t well-defined or ambitious enough, you may not push yourself hard enough to see any results. Before you start an exercise program or diet, talk to your doctor to help you determine goals that will keep you on track without feeling discouraged.

#4: Exercising with improper form

Having the willpower to exercise regularly is admirable, but if you’re getting in your cardio at the expense of your joints, you aren’t doing your body any favors. Avoid workout-related injuries and discomfort by consulting a personal trainer or other expert the first few times you begin a new form of exercise. Once you have the proper form down, you can continue your routine on your own.

#3: Not enough variety

When your workout lacks variety, there are a few consequences. First, you’re more likely to get bored of what you’re doing and give up on your routine. But even if you stick with it, a workout with no variety (or no change in intensity or challenge) will not bring you all the benefits you could potentially be getting. The same idea goes for nutrition, too. Lean proteins are healthy – but a diet made up entirely of lean proteins and nothing else is not healthy. Your body needs workout and nutrition plans that are well-rounded.

#2: An all-or-nothing attitude

Telling yourself that you’ll never eat another brownie again is little more than an invitation for uncontrollable brownie cravings. When guidelines are too rigorous, it can be almost impossible to keep them. Instead, build latitude for indulgences into your monthly nutrition plan – and if you still go overboard one day, don’t throw up your hands and give in. Just go right back to your set nutrition plan, and make a goal to follow it better in the coming weeks.

#1: Imbalanced rationalizations

The number one fitness mistake is one of the hardest to come to terms with. When you work hard, it’s normal to feel good and be proud of yourself. But exercising regularly does not mean that you can eat whatever you want. And similarly, consistently following a healthy diet does not mean you can skip the exercise portion of your fitness plan. Achieving good fitness requires a commitment to a whole lifestyle, not just one area.

Embarking on a lifelong fitness commitment can improve your mental, physical, social, and even emotional health. Give yourself the best chance for success by avoiding the five biggest fitness mistakes, and you’ll be that much farther along on your journey to health and wellness.

The warning lights on your car’s dashboard are intended to make sure you have early warning of a number of potentially serious problems. An illuminated warning light is never something to be ignored, but the check engine light is a particularly important one. Although it doesn’t mean you should pull the car over immediately, you should ensure that a mechanic inspects your car as soon as possible. Here are five common reasons why.

• Faulty fuel cap. A strange as it may sound, one of the most common reasons that the check engine light is lit up is a problem with the fuel cap. This could simply be that it has not been fastened properly, or that it hasn’t been fastened at all. In other cases, it may be damaged or broken. In any case, it’s comparably very cheap and easy to fix.
• Problem with oxygen sensors. The oxygen sensor in your vehicle monitors the mixture of fuel and air in your car’s combustion system. When a fault occurs, modern car computer systems will default to a ‘safe’ setting. This reduces the engine’s power while increasing the amount of fuel used. The cost of additional gas over a long period of time will far outweigh the cost of repairing this problem.
• Fault with spark plugs and wires. Spark plugs seal your car’s main combustion chamber and help the spark initiate the combustion itself. If they’re failing, they’ll misfire. Spark plugs last quite a long time but need to be replaced as soon as a fault develops to prevent serious damage to the engine.
• Catalytic convertor needs replacing. Most modern cars have catalytic convertors, which convert harmful emissions into other harmless substances. Catalytic convertors generally last a long time, but if the car is not regularly maintained, other parts can cause the catalytic convertor to fail.
• Clogged fuel injector. Fuel injectors ensure that the gas gets into the combustion chamber in your car’s engine. If they’re dirty and blocked, they won’t be able to carry out this function properly. When the fuel injectors are clogged, you’ll also notice that the car takes longer to accelerate than normal. The fuel injection system will need cleaning by a mechanic to correct this problem.

There are a host of other reasons why your check engine light may be illuminated. In all cases, it’s best not to try and work out what the problem is. Book an appointment with your service department at DCH Toyota of Oxnard first and let the experts diagnose the issue for you.

It wasn’t so long ago that a car showing 100,000 miles was said to be on borrowed time. Fortunately, and in light of the fact that a new car in the United States now has an average sticker price of about $30,000, those days are gone. For the past couple of decades or so, cars have been engineered to last much longer than their earlier counterparts. In fact, most cars built since the 1990s will last 200,000 miles or even more, but in order to reach that mark, it is essential to stay on top of regular and timely maintenance.

Something as simple as changing a car’s engine oil at specific intervals can help ensure that the internal parts remain properly lubricated. In turn, this will keep that engine running smoothly and efficiently. There are many different automobile manufacturers out there, with an equally different number of maintenance recommendations and/or requirements. The average driver will put anywhere from 10,000-15,000 miles on his or her vehicle each year. However, regardless of model or make, the 30,000 mile mark is a universal point in a car’s lifetime when many services need to be performed.

Generally, the first scheduled car check-up will take place at 15,000 miles. This is typically a very basic service call and will involve an oil and filter change, an air filter and cabin filter replacement, a wiper blade inspection, and possibly a tire rotation. The important thing to remember is that every subsequent service should include the previous items along with new services that will need to be performed as the car ages.

Thus, when that car reaches the 30,000 mile mark, one can also expect a fuel filter replacement, a coolant change, and possibly a flushing and replacement of the power steering fluid as well as automatic transmission fluid. As for those wiper blades, they may have still been in good shape at 15,000 miles, but by the time 30,000 miles have rolled around, those blades will have been in use for at least two years, so it’s time to replace them. Individual owner’s manuals for specific makes and models will of course vary, but the thing to remember here is that all of the above services should be performed at those 30,000-mile intervals. Thus, if you had your transmission fluid and coolant changed at 30,000, then these procedures should be done again at 60,000, 90,000, 120,000, and so on.

Other services included in your 30,000 mile checkup may include a brake inspection, which may reveal that you need new pads or to have the rotors re-machined. A general tune-up may also be included, where the ignition components are checked and replaced if necessary. An example of this would be new spark plugs. Other fluid levels may be checked and an undercar inspection may take place. The tires and wheels could be checked not only for wear, but also proper alignment and inflation. Finally, miscellaneous items may also be checked, such as hoses, belts, the battery, and all the lights. If a bulb is burned out anywhere from your headlight to a turn signal light, it will need to be replaced.

Since no two car makes or models are exactly alike, the only way to get an idea of what that 30,000-mile scheduled maintenance will cost is to ask. DCH Toyota of Oxnard will be able to give you a comprehensive answer on what you can expect to pay. It will depend not only on what needs to be done and how labor-intensive the tasks are, but also how expensive the new parts are. Nevertheless, the important thing to remember is this: staying on top of your scheduled maintenance goes a long way in ensuring that your car will provide many years of faithful service.

Fuel injection technology has helped make cars fuel efficient and reliable for decades, but the technology still requires maintenance despite improved designs. Even when you carefully operate and maintain your car, the fuel injectors in your engine can clog and cause performance problems.

Fuel deposits

As a normal part of engine operation, gasoline leaves waxy compounds behind after combustion. Engine heat bakes these compounds onto the nozzles of fuel injectors, resulting in impaired fuel delivery to engine cylinders. Gasoline producers add detergents to their fuels to combat this problem by keeping injectors clean. For the most part, these detergents extend the maintenance interval by removing much of the residue left behind. However, the detergents can’t keep up with the rate at which deposits accumulate on fuel injectors.

Some gas suppliers exacerbate problems with fuel injectors by reducing the detergents added to their fuels to save money. Therefore, cheap gas can present real risks to the engine in your car. Factors other than gas also affect the condition of fuel injectors. For example, some locations inside the engine get hotter than others, causing some injectors to clog more quickly than others. Therefore, have your dealer service technicians inspect all the fuel injectors in your when you bring it for service. Despite the good condition of some fuel injectors in your engine, others may have serious blockage.

Problems with clogged injectors

Clogged fuel injectors can cause problems that range from diminished fuel economy to emissions failures. Oxygen sensors can indicate lean mixtures and point to clogged injectors. In lean conditions, engines will increase the fuel supply to compensate. This causes the injection of too much fuel into some cylinders, resulting in performance problems. Even small amounts of blockage inside fuel injector nozzles can cause misfires, which trigger check engine light illumination in cars with OBD II emissions.

Other symptoms of clogged injectors include hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions, rough idling, power loss, and hesitation during light acceleration.

Clean or replace fuel injectors

Only qualified auto technicians can tell when to clean fuel injectors and when to replace them. Auto owners should have the fuel injectors in their cars periodically cleaned. Although most cars call for cleaning between 15,000 and 30,000 miles of operation, car owners should check the owner’s manuals for their cars or call DCH Toyota of Oxnard to find out the recommended service interval for their cars.

Professional service technicians can tell when injectors require replacement. If one injector has worn out, the others will likely soon fail. Technicians usually replace injectors as a set to ensure the fuel system stays balanced.

Dealer service centers use only OEM injectors designed to meet the performance requirements of your vehicle. You should take your car to your dealer’s service center for fuel injector service, so you have the confidence that comes from knowing your car operates with peak performance.

When an automaker says they’re going to redesign a vehicle, we expect big changes. However, we at DCH Toyota of Oxnard never expected a change quite like this.

“Bold” and “lustworthy” might not be words you’d usually associate with a luxury car, but that’s about to change. When someone says “luxury,” our mind often imagines large sedans that have styling blander than a toaster and a driving experience much like guiding a sofa down the highway. But when it comes to the all-new 2013 Toyota Avalon, the tables have turned.

No longer do you have to suffer behind the wheel of a luxury sedan that blends in with a crowd of anonymous people-carriers. Just look at the 2013 Avalon.

Chrome has long been a staple of classic luxury, but there’s only a tasteful sprinkling in this example. Chrome-trimmed Quadrabeam headlights give the front of the Avalon an aggressive face, while being highly functional with standard Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and auto on/off functionality. High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps are found on various trim levels for added visibility and safety at night.

The new large grille also sports a touch of chrome while offering even more of that newfound attitude that is sure to appeal to younger buyers. That attitude carries on along the entire side of the vehicle, with a distinctive crease and racy roofline that slopes rearward more smoothly than sedans of the past. Don’t worry about headroom, however, because there’s a whopping 37.9 inches to be found in the rear seating area—even more than the 37.6 inches found up front.

Out back, large, stylized horizontal taillights and dual exhaust tips dipped in chrome help make the Avalon look low and wide, all while hiding 16 cubic feet of cargo capacity in the trunk. With that much capacity at hand, there’s no reason to leave anything behind.

There needs to be some muscle to go along with those looks, and luckily, buyers can choose from a conventional and powerful 3.5-liter V6 with 268 horsepower, or the available eco-conscious Hybrid variant that pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a powerful electric motor.

While the powerful V6 still returns EPA mileage estimates of 21 mpg city/31 mpg highway, the Hybrid variants return numbers of 40 mpg city/39 mpg highway. Standard XLE, XLE Premium, XLE Touring, and Limited trims are matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while Hybrid XLE Premium, Hybrid XLE Touring, and Hybrid Limited trims are paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) for the ultimate in efficiency.

So far, we’ve got all the basics of any car detailed, but the real story of the Avalon is luxury, and it has that requirement covered in spades. Dual-zone climate control with rear-seat vents comes as standard equipment on all Avalon trims, yet upper levels such as the Limited receive three-zone control for the ultimate in climatic comfort.

Another interesting feature is the introduction of IntelliTouch™ controls for climate and audio systems. While being a tactile delight, the controls also cut down on the number of buttons protruding from the dash, resulting in a clean, sophisticated look that matches the tech behind it.

Standard on all models is an audio system that includes a 6.1-inch touchscreen, USB/iPod connectivity and control, and Bluetooth®. Spring for the version with navigation, and you’ll also receive Toyota’s impressive Entune® infotainment suite that allows access to Bing™, Pandora, iHeartRadio, weather, and sports scores and stocks. There’s even an available version that includes a 7-inch display with split-screen capability if you require the ultimate in visual technology.

Of course, leather abounds throughout the cabin, with heated front thrones including an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Higher trim levels feature upgraded perforated leather with 10-way driver adjustment, 8-way adjustment for the front passenger, and even heated rear seats. Adding to the luxury factor is the abundance of wood trim. Add it all together, and you get an interior as stylish as the exterior, while being supremely comfortable no matter what the occasion.

Value is also a winning proposition in this all-new 2013 Avalon, with the entry-level XLE trim starting just under $31,000. Top-trim Limited models start at under $40,000, while Hybrid trims start at around $35,000 and run up to over $41,000.

With the style, efficiency, comfort, and value that only Toyota can bring to the table, the all-new 2013 Avalon is sure to be a runaway success for the brand. Toyota’s slogan for years has been “Moving Forward,” and the 2013 Avalon is a perfect example of how the brand is producing an ever-improving lineup of fantastic automobiles.

When it comes to southern soul food, it doesn’t get much better than Hoppin’ John. This simple concoction of black-eyed peas and rice is a staple in many southern states, especially the Carolinas and Low Country or Gullah cuisine.

This favorite southern dish is traditionally enjoyed on New Year’s Day because it is thought to bring luck for the new year. Those who truly believe in the dish’s magical powers eat it first thing on New Year’s Day for maximum good luck. Some southern families even enjoy a bowl at midnight on New Year’s Eve, along with a champagne toast. In another tradition, a dime is sometimes hidden among the dish’s black-eyed peas prior to serving; whoever finds the shiny dime in their dinner is assured a year’s worth of good luck.

Whether you believe in the luck-granting powers of this dish or not, you’re sure to enjoy a heaping portion of this hearty New Year’s Day Hoppin’ John. Embrace southern tradition and enjoy it at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve or first thing on New Year’s Day, or make your own luck any day of the year.

New Year’s Day Hoppin’ John

Total prep time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Active time: 15 minutes
Inactive time: 2 hours
Yield or number served: 6

Ingredients

1½ cups dry black-eyed peas

1 pound ham hocks

1 onion, chopped

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

4 cups water

1½ cups long-grain white rice

Smoked Cheddar cheese, for garnish

Chopped tomatoes, for garnish

Thinly sliced green onions, for garnish

Directions

1. Place the black-eyed peas, ham hocks, onion, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a large pan. Cover with water and bring to a boil over high heat.

2. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook the peas 1 hour 30 minutes, or until they are tender but not mushy.

3. Remove the ham hocks and and cut the meat into bite-sized pieces before returning it to the peas.

4. Add rice and stir. Cover and cook on low approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender.

5. Season with salt and pepper and serve with cheese, tomatoes, and green onions.