The Transportation Department plans to open a formal investigation into the 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla over potential problems with the car’s power steering, a department official said.

The preliminary investigation is expected to be opened and involves an estimated 500,000 vehicles. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the department had not yet notified Toyota of the probe.

Toyota Motor Corp. said at a news conference in Japan earlier that it was looking into complaints of power steering problems with the Corolla and was considering a recall as one option. Toyota said there have been fewer than 100 complaints.

In the US, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received about 150 complaints from drivers about the issue. The complaints are small compared to the number of vehicles involved: The department said the investigation involves about 363,000 vehicles from the 2009 model year and about 136,000 vehicles from the 2010 model year.

In the Corolla complaints, drivers have said they felt they were losing control over the car’s steering, particularly at highway speeds.

Executives in Japan said it was unclear why drivers were experiencing the problems but it could be related to the braking system or fires. They said the company’s internal investigation was still preliminary and no decision had been made but Toyota was prepared to supply fixes—including a recall as one possibility—if it found defects.

Toyota has recalled 8.5 million of its vehicles, including the popular Camry— America’s best-selling model – over problems with gas pedals, floor mats and brakes.

The 2009 and 2010 Corollas are already the subject of two separate safety-
related recalls, one for potentially sticky accelerator pedals, the other over concerns that gas pedals could get caught on floor mats.

A Toyota spokeswoman in Washington, Cindy Knight, said the company would cooperate with the investigation.

Apple Inc., buoyed by the success of the iPhones, iPods and computers it churns out to breathless buyers, could give some of its $25 billion in cash back to shareholders. But chief executive Steve Jobs said that he thinks Apple is better off keeping that money stockpiled.

At the company’s annual meeting, one shareholder asked Jobs whether the company would use some of its hoard to pay a dividend. Jobs didn’t seem keen on the idea, saying the cash gives Apple “tremendous security and flexibility.”

If Apple decides to acquire another company, it can do so by writing a check instead of borrowing money, he said. “Who knows what around the next corner?” he said.

Apple executives also said they have ambitious plans to expand in China: They expect to open as many as 25 retail stores in the country in the next two years. Apple’s first store in China opened in Beijing in 2008.

Jobs, a survivor of pancreatic cancer who was on medical leave during last year’s annual meeting, was on stage at Apple headquarters  in his standard uniform of a black turtleneck, blue jeans and wire-rimmed glasses. Lookin thin and unshaven, he nodded appreciatively in response to shareholders who said they were glad he was back.

When it comes to your looks during a first impression, almost everyone will tell you it matters… and it matters a lot!

In fact, the top item people notice first when they see the opposite sex are purely physical elements. Here are some great tips to help you improve your “first impression look” with the opposite sex!

The eyes
Often cited as the windows to the soul, the eyes is the number one feature daters notice first! How do you improve it? If you’re a woman, get out the books and fashion magazines and research some tips on making your eyes sparkle. If you’re a guy, or if you are not big on make up, try these tips that always makes the eyes look great: Get enough sleep. Red around the eyes is not very attractive. Get your eyebrows shaped. The eyebrows are often overlooked, but if shaped properly can add a whole new dimension to your eyes. Look directly at the person you are talking with. It shows you’re confident, and that you are interested in them as person.

Smile
You can tell how open and loving a person is by his or her smile. Improving this is as easy as taking care of your lips. Keep them out of the sun, or protected, and be real when you smile. Remember the instant turn off, a fake smile.

Face
If that special someone doesn’t like looking at it, then you’re going to have problems! To keep your face looking great, keep it clean and protected from the sun. Find some products that work best for you!

Personality
Your personality is something that can’t quite be changed unless you want to. So be comfortable with who you are, and the people who are around will be comfortable with you to!

Hair
There is something about running your fingers through silken locks of hair than can drive both men and woman alike crazy. If you don’t feel confident about your hair, take a trip to the salon and find a style you really like. This is one area where it may be worth the extra money to get something really great!

Figure
The only thing that can help you here is good old fashion exercise and healthy eating. Or, a great self-image! Don’t be fooled into thinking you have to have “the perfect body” either! Being confident about who you are is more than enough for someone who’s worth having!

Posture
Someone who slouches, or walks with his or her head down gives the impression of being lazy or lacking ambition. Therefore, your posture is incredibly important when it comes to first impressions. To improve your posture, try stretching daily and/or a visit to your chiropractor.

Mouth
Your mouth is an easy target for desirability. Soft, full lips just beg to be kissed. Keep your lips in top shape by following the advice for your smile!

Start living a healthy and active lifestyle today. The experts advise is be active at least one to one and a half hours a day. Being active doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym to workout. Although it is an excellent place to be active, it is not your only option. As exemplified by the study arty activity that can get your body moving, sweating and burning calories are beneficial to your body. Try walking around your subdivision, or even doing household chores like washing the can

Don’t forget that being physically active is just one part of staying healthy. You also need to have a balanced diet. Make sure to maintain a balance between the number of calories you consume and those which you bum through physical activities. Remember that a balanced diet doesn’t mean having to give up your favorite foods and depriving yourself This simply means eating a wide variety of foods to make sure your body gets everything it needs to stay strong and healthy. Use the food pyramid to guide you on recommended food intakes anything in excess is bad ‘for you, so just maintain moderation.

Lastly, don’t forget to hydrate. Hydration is an important part of health
because water from the beverages you drink is a vital part of the body’s functions. You don’t have to stick to the “eight-glasses-water-a-day” rule either.  According to the Beverage Institute for Health and Wellness (BIHW),
you need 11-16cups  of total fluids everyday, depending on your age, weight,  gender, the weather and your level of physical activity fluids’ mean that all beverages hydrate. including iced teas, ft drinks and juices. as well as foods with water like fruits, vegetables, soups and stews.

Make it a habit Regular physical activity balanced nutrition and proper hydration are the keys to living  a healthy and active lifestyle.