At your Toyota dealer, we know that sooner or later you will have to replace some parts on your new or used vehicle. From belts and filters to larger pieces of the machinery, time and use puts wear on your car. When take your car to the Toyota dealer to replace parts in your vehicle, you’ll often have the choice between OEM parts and aftermarket parts. Do you know what the difference is between these two types?

OEM parts, or original equipment manufacturer parts, are parts that are made by the same companies that made the parts that were originally in your vehicle. While these parts aren’t always made by Toyota, they are the ones that we chose to use in your vehicle when it left the factory. OEM parts are built to the standards of your Toyota dealer, and you can be confident that you are replacing the parts with ones that are the same high level of construction and value.

Aftermarket parts are parts that are made by other manufacturers to replace the OEM parts as they wear out. They are often cheaper and easier to find, but there is a down side. Your Toyota dealer has found that these aftermarket parts aren’t always as high quality as OEM parts. Sometimes, however, they are still great quality. The problem is that it can be hard to know if the aftermarket part you’ve chosen is really a good part for your vehicle. It’s important to do some research before you make your choice.

Your Toyota dealer knows that it can be tempting to save some money when your new or used vehicle needs a repair. All the same, it’s important to investigate the aftermarket parts you are thinking about using to be sure that they really are the best deal. You don’t want to sacrifice quality, after all.

While you probably can’t see the back of your hybrid Toyota as you drive, you have certainly noticed the lights on other vehicles. While brake lights and turn signals are red or orange, the reverse lights on a vehicle are almost always white. Since this adds another layer to the design of a vehicle, why is it that reverse lights are white instead of red?

Did you know that the majority of all fender benders occur when one of the vehicles is backing up? Think about it—when you drive your hybrid Toyota, you are expecting other vehicles to be going forward, just like you are. In order to get anywhere safely and quickly, you need to put your new or used vehicle in drive and go forward. Of course, there are times when you need to go backwards as well. When you pull out of a driveway or parking spot, for example, or need to move your car in a tight space you may go backwards, and this is where accidents can occur.

The reason reverse lights are white instead of red on your hybrid Toyota is that white catches your eye. Since all of the other lights are red or orange, they are what you are used to seeing in St Louis. As you follow other cars down the Missouri roads, you see these lights as they drive. If you see white lights, however, they immediately catch your eye and your attention. Hopefully, this attention will give you time to react so that you can avoid an accident, which is why the lights are white and easy to see.

Now that you know why the reverse lights in your hybrid Toyota are white, hopefully you’ll spend a bit more time thinking about them. Of course you notice them when you see them, but knowing the how and why can make you a better, and safer, driver on the St Louis roads.