Mild hybrids: Are they right for you?

Mild hybrids: Are they right for you?

Electrified cars are starting to become more and more popular, but there are so many different types of them, like HEV, PHEV, EV, FHEV…and now mild hybrids! Mild hybrids are a bit unknown so we’re here to give you everything you need to know about them – and how they differ from our Orlando Toyota full hybrids.

What is a mild hybrid?

Mild hybrids use a small electric battery and electric motor to help reduce your gas consumption. Also, they use regenerative braking to help charge their electric battery. So, they sound a lot like a full hybrid – but they’re actually quite different. Here’s how they compare to full hybrid cars like the 2024 Toyota Prius.  

Mild hybrid vs full hybrid: Are they that different?

Here at Toyota of Orlando, we love Making it Simple™ so we’re going to give you the breakdown between the mild hybrid vs full hybrid. 

• Full hybrids have a larger battery and electric motor, while mild hybrids have smaller hybrid elements.

• Full hybrids power your vehicle using their electric capabilities, but only for short distances at very low speeds. Mild hybrids can’t do this at all – they only help start the car and assist in acceleration.

• Full hybrids significantly cut down on emissions because of the electric motor, while mild hybrids don’t cut down on emissions as much because they can’t solely use the electric motor to power the car.

• You’ll save money on gas with mild hybrids, but not nearly as much as you would with a full hybrid.

Benefits of a mild hybrid

Now you know the clear difference between mild hybrid vs full hybrid. The benefits of a mild hybrid are similar to those of a full hybrid, but just a little less:

• Slight increase in fuel efficiency

• Slight increase in acceleration from a full stop

• Slight decrease in tailpipe emissions

A mild hybrid is more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly than a regular gasoline car, just not as fuel-efficient or eco-friendly as a full hybrid car.

Are mild hybrids worth it?

Here at Toyota of Orlando, we don’t offer mild hybrid so we are a bit biased here – but we say they aren’t worth it. If you’re looking to save money on gas and be more eco-friendly, we recommend an Orlando Toyota hybrid. Here’s what we have on our lot:

• RAV4 Hybrid (41/38 mpg)

• Corolla Cross Hybrid (45/38)

• 2024 Orlando Toyota Prius (57/56 mpg)

• Venza (40/37 mpg)

• Crown (42/41 mpg)

• Sienna (36/36 mpg)

• Corolla Hybrid (53/46 mpg)

• Highlander Hybrid (36/35 mpg)

• Sequoia Hybrid (21/24 mpg)

• Camry Hybrid (51/53 mpg)

• Tundra Hybrid (20/24 mpg)

• Grand Highlander Hybrid (37/34 mpg)

We also offer different types of Orlando Toyota electrified cars, like plug-in hybrids and EVs. 

Have additional questions on mild hybrids?

If you are looking for more information on mild hybrids – you can always talk to our Orlando Toyota specialists and they can give you more information on mild hybrids vs full hybrids. You can always call at (407) 298-4500 or come visit our dealership at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Mall at Millenia!

Towing with a hybrid: can you even do it?

 Towing with a hybrid: can you even do it?

Hybrid towing may not sound right – how could an electrified Toyota tow? News flash – they can! A lot of people don’t know that you can tow with your Orlando Toyota hybrid. We’re Making it Simple™ for you and giving you all the information you need to know about hybrid towing.

Hybrid towing: what you need to know

There are many pros when it comes to towing with a hybrid – especially if you’re looking for higher fuel efficiency. Hybrids are also known for being more environmentally friendly – but towing with a hybrid is possible too, which a lot of people seem to underestimate. 

Orlando hybrids are considered ‘electrified cars’, but they’re not your stereotypical electric vehicle – like the Toyota bZ4x. They use both a gas engine and an electric motor; the gas engine does a majority of the work in hybrid vehicles. Plus, if you opt for an Orlando Toyota hybrid with all-wheel drive, you'll get almost as much towing capacity as a gas-powered vehicle.

What does the Toyota Highlander Hybrid towing capacity look like?

To help you visualize what hybrid towing looks like, we’re going to give you the Toyota Highlander Hybrid towing capacity. 

• The 2024 Toyota Highlander has a 2.4L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. It also offers all-wheel drive, and in this model you'll get 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft torque.

• The final towing capacity is 5,000 pounds.

• If you opt for the hybrid version, you’ll rock a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine. So, if you add all-wheel drive in the mix you can get up to 186 horsepower and 175 lb-ft. torque. 

• The final Toyota Highlander Hybrid towing capacity is 3,500 pounds.

Thinking about hybrid towing? 

If you’re looking to start towing with a hybrid, here are some tips. 

1. Make sure you check your hybrid towing capacity before you purchase. If you go over your towing capacity,  you’ll notice a hefty bill with all the expensive repairs that you’ll need.

2. Practice, practice, practice. If you’re inexperienced when it comes to towing with a hybrid, you’ll want to practice before you go on your next haul. Remember to practice backing up, u-turns, parking, and sharp turns. 

3. Make sure you're up-to-date on your car maintenance. If you’re looking to make your Orlando hybrid towing vehicle last, you’ll want to be extra conscious about being consistent on your routine car maintenance – brake service, oil changes, tire rotations, and everything our Orlando auto service technicians recommend. We also recommend asking about your brakes every time you go in for service as you’ll need maximum stopping power with your heavy loads. 

4. Have all the equipment and test it. Just like regular gas towing, you’ll want to ensure your trailer lights are hooked up,  including brake lights and turn signals. Also, don’t forget a spare tire for both your Orlando Toyota vehicle and your trailer.

Ready to start towing with a hybrid?

If you’re looking to start towing with a hybrid, come see us atToyota of Orlando! Our sales specialists can give you additional tips and give the best recommendation for all your hybrid towing needs. Toyota of Orlando is located at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Mall at Millenia.

Do you need a transmission fluid change?

Do you need a transmission fluid change?

A car is a huge responsibility – you have to be on top of your car maintenance routine. Everyone knows the basic car maintenance checklist – oil changes, brake service, tire rotations – but people seem to forget that’s also vital for the basic functioning of your car: transmission fluid. Toyota of Orlando’s auto service experts are Making it Simple ™ by giving you a guide to your transmission fluid changes.

What is transmission fluid?

If you don’t know or remember what transmission fluid does for your car – we’re here with the 4-1-1. It depends if you drive a manual or automatic car.

• If you drive a manual car, transmission fluid lubricates bearings and metal parts inside the gearbox. This helps prevent them from grinding down while they move, and the fluid absorbs excess heat.

• If you drive an automatic car, transmission fluid lubricates the moving parts associated with shifting gears and provides hydraulic pressure and friction to keep those parts working. Transmission fluid also helps absorb excess heat and keep your transmission cool.

Now that you know what transmission fluid does, let’s talk about why it’s important to change it.

Why is a transmission fluid change important?

You may think that transmission fluid is something you can skip when it comes to routine maintenance – but it’s not. If you don’t routinely change your transmission fluid – then heat can become a big issue as it can wear out parts, break things, and shorten your car’s lifespan. Without a transmission fluid change, your transmission will start to experience a multitude of problems as parts overheat and wear out. And these problems can lead to even more problems, which in turn leads to expensive repairs or an all-new transmission (which can cost an arm and a leg…). 

Also, if you do a lot of stop-and-go driving (regular driving in heavy traffic where your car has to repeatedly shift gears) or if you tow and haul heavy loads routinely – you definitely need to be on top of your transmission fluid changes. 

When to schedule a transmission fluid change

Finally considering scheduling this car care appointment at Toyota of Orlando’s service center? We’re going to tell you when you should get it.

• Once you hit the 30,000-mile mark, you should consistently ask one of our Orlando auto service experts when is it time to get a transmission fluid change. 

• There is a “lifetime fluid” when it comes to transmissions in newer cars. However, our Orlando auto service center recommends checking your transmission fluid routinely. Also, if you want maximum performance, we recommend swapping it out at 100,000 miles.

It’s a good idea to know how to check transmission fluid in between service appointments. Here are some pointers:

• If you have an older car with an automatic transmission – you’re gonna have a transmission dipstick. Your Orlando Toyota will have an owner’s manual that can tell you if your car has one and where to find it. Just check the fluid as you do with your motor oil: Turn your car and let the engine warm up, pull out the dipstick, and examine the color.

• The fluid’s color should be vivid red or pink.

• If it’s dark – it means that it’s bad and needs to be changed.

• It should also be free of debris or metal shavings.

• Foamy fluid means there’s too much fluid in the reservoir and some needs to be taken out.

• If the fluid is too low, then schedule an auto service appointment to have some added or the fluid changed out.

• If you have a newer car, it typically doesn’t have a dipstick – so how do you check transmission fluid in these cars? The simple answer: you can’t! Just drop it off at Toyota of Orlando to let our techs take a look under the hood.

Transmission flushes vs. changes

Does your car need a transmission flush or a transmission change? 

• Transmission changes are misleading because they don’t replace all the transmission fluid with new fluid. In reality, it is only a third or half of the fluid that’ll be swapped out. Some fluid remains in the torque converter and other internal parts of your Orlando Toyota.

• A transmission flush is quite simple and not misleading – it flushes out all of the fluid from eh entire system. But, it’s not always a good thing as it could end up dislodging debris in the system and cause clogs. 

Unsure if your transmission fluid needs a change or a flush? Ask one of the expert techs at Toyota of Orlando!

Schedule your transmission fluid change today at Toyota of Orlando

Need help with your car’s transmission fluid? We’ve got your back. Schedule service online at Toyota of Orlando or call us at (407) 298-0001. We’re located just off I-4 near the Mall at Millenia at 3575 Vineland Road!