All about wheels: balancing vs alignment

Toyota Wheels and tires are the only pieces of your Orlando Toyota that make contact with the ground and, therefore, need special care. If you find your vehicle riding a little rough or bumpy, it could be caused by an alignment or a balancing issue with your Toyota wheels. Balancing and alignment is easy to get mixed up and that’s why Toyota of Orlando is here to set the record (and your wheels) straight.

What’s the difference?

Although both keep your Toyota wheels working normally, balancing and aligning perform different functions and require different procedures. Here are a few key facts to know about wheel balancing and alignment, straight from our auto service department!

Wheel balancing

As your tires age and wear down, sections of them may wear down faster, get chipped, or lose more tread than others. This is where Orlando Toyota wheel balancing comes in. Using a machine that measures weight over a certain number of tire revolutions, weights are attached to the wheel itself in certain areas. This is done to counteract excess weight in other spots on the tire. Weights can either be stuck with adhesive to the inside of the Toyota wheel itself or hammered onto the outside of it. If your balancing is off, this can cause your tires to wobble and hop when driving at higher speeds.

Wheel alignment

While balancing issues are remedied by applying weights, alignment issues aren’t so easily solved. Wheel alignment is done to keep your wheels and tires parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground to keep your vehicle riding easily and efficiently. Before we go any further, here are a few terms that you’ll want to know regarding maintenance issues that can occur with your Toyota wheel alignment:

·       Camber: This is the angle of the Toyota wheel when viewed from the front of the vehicle. Essentially, this is the top of the wheel pointing away or towards the center of your Orlando Toyota. Positive camber means your tires are pointing outward and negative camber means they’re pointing inward.

·       Caster: An alignment issue can also be caused by a caster misalignment. This is referring to the angle your Orlando Toyota’s steering pivot (a part of your suspension system) is facing. A negative caster means that your steering pivot is facing more toward your headlights and positive castor means its facing toward your windshield.

·       Toe: This term has to do with the direction your wheels are pointing in relation to the road and to each other. If your Toyota wheels are toe out, that means they’re pointing away from each other and toe in means they’re pointing towards each other.

For your Orlando Toyota wheels to be in perfect alignment, all of the angle types need to be at zero degrees or pointing straight. Maintenance issues like these can cause uncomfortable driving and degrade your fuel efficiency.

Balance and align your wheels at Toyota of Orlando

Ignoring these maintenance issues can put a damper on your driving and lead to even worse issues in the future. At Toyota of Orlando, our expert auto service team can get your Toyota wheels back to normal, so you can get back on the road! Call us at (407) 298 – 0001 to schedule your service appointment.

A guide to engine filters from Toyota of Orlando

Your car’s engine needs a lot of different parts to function and perform efficiently. While hoses and fluids are important, keeping them clear and clean is essential to keeping your engine running. Engine filters are there to keep your fluids running clean and your hoses free of blockage, so your vehicle can run the way it’s supposed to. Keeping track of the different filters can get a little confusing and that’s why Toyota of Orlando is here with a guide on these essential engine parts.

Filters for fuel, oil, air, and everything in between

To keep your engine healthy, fluids need to be clean and this will keep buildup from forming in the hoses. This is where engine filters come in! But, not only do filters keep your engine clean, they also clean the air that enters your cabin for breathing and engine for combustion. Here are a few engine filters that you should know about:

• Engine Air Filters: This engine filter cleans air as it enters your Orlando engine during the combustion process. By having clean air entering the engine, this ensures that combustion happens under the best possible conditions to save you on fuel and keep your engine healthy. These filters can be made of several different materials, like paper, cotton, and foam.
• Oil Filters: Unfortunately, as your engine runs over time it becomes worn and that can spell trouble for your Orlando Toyota. Luckily, we have engine filters to combat the results of wear and tear and what that can do to your hoses and fluids. Oil filters are used to clean motor oil as it cycles through your car’s engine and removes metal particles from engine wear that could build up over time if left unchecked. It’s recommended that this part be replaced every two years for modern vehicles and every year for older ones.
• Cabin Air Filters: While this filter doesn’t help in keeping the engine clean, it does keep your cabin and the air you breathe clean. Cabin filters remove harmful fumes and particles from the air outside as it makes its way through your A/C system. Our Orlando auto service technicians recommend replacing this part once a year to ensure good air quality during your drive.
• Fuel Filters: While you may be wondering why you’d need a filter for fuel, the truth is that the gasoline or diesel that comes out at the pump isn’t the purest stuff. It can contain dirt or other particles that could harm your engine. Over time, this engine filter can become filled with contaminants and affect your overall fuel economy and performance if left unchecked.
• Emission Valve and Filter: This part is both and engine filter and emission system that works to cycle harmful fumes back to the engine. This lessens air pollutants and maximizes fuel efficiency for your Orlando Toyota vehicle. 

Keep your engine filters clean at Toyota of Orlando

It’s easy to set it and forget it when it comes to engine filters but keeping them maintained and changed regularly will keep your car running for years to come. Luckily, Toyota of Orlando is here to help keep them in check and change them out for you when needed. Our expert auto service department is always here to help with all your engine filter needs. Give us a call at (407) 298 – 0001 or visit us at 3575 Vineland Road. We’re open seven days a week!

Toyota car transmissions: what you need to know

Park, reverse, neutral, and drive. Car transmissions are the essential to acceleration and keeping your vehicle operating when idle. Depending on the transmission in your vehicle, your driving experience will likely be much different when compared to other drivers and their vehicles. Understanding the differences can be a bit confusing at times and that’s why Toyota of Orlando is here with a simple guide on car transmissions that’ll help you when buying a new vehicle or when you need maintenance.

Let’s talk Orlando car transmissions

While automatic and manual may seem like the only types of car transmissions, but the truth is that there are several and each one provides a different type of driving experience and fuel economy. Here are the key differences and what they mean for your car:

Manual: The original type of transmission, manual cars are different from automatics because of their clutch based shifting system. Drivers of manual Orlando Toyota vehicles must use the clutch to move back and forth between gears when the vehicle accelerates to decelerates. This type of car transmission requires more attention from the driver and usually doesn’t leave any hands free, unless driving on the highway in one gear.

Automatic: These types of car transmissions are common in many Orlando Toyotas and use an electronic control system to switch between gears without having to use a clutch pedal. Shifting between gears is typically smooth, but some amount of fuel efficiency is lost when compared to manual car transmissions because of a slip that occurs when shifting. There are four different sub-types of automatic transmissions and each one provides a unique feel to shifting and driving.

1. Conventional Automatic: This transmission transfers power to itself from the engine by using a torque converter. It contains several sets of gears and speeds are chosen by electronically controlled clutch packs. A way to tell if your Orlando Toyota vehicle has a conventional automatic car transmission is to see how it acts when on a hill or when you’re in drive and take your foot off the brake. If your vehicle holds itself while on an incline and moves forward when in drive on a flat road and your foot is off the brake, you likely have a conventional automatic in your vehicle.
2. Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT): Orlando transmissions like these abandon gears and opt for two sets of variable pulleys for smooth transitions when shifting. It uses the same type of torque converter as a conventional automatic and maximizes fuel efficiency by keeping shifting smooth. Unfortunately, Orlando CVT car transmissions can’t handle a lot of power because of their reliance on friction to generate power and they make a lot of excess noise because they operate at a high rpm to maintain efficiency.
3. Automated Manual: Now, the name seems confusing, but this is still an automatic car transmission, but rather than having a pedal the clutch is in the engine and computer operated. There isn’t any required driver input to shift gears, but drivers can use column and paddle shifters to adjust gears manually if they choose. These Orlando transmissions have higher fuel efficiency because there isn’t a slip when shifting between gears.
4. Dual-Clutch Automated Manual: While still an automatic car transmission, this one has two different gear shafts, one for the odd numbered (1, 3, 5, and 7) and one for the even numbered (2, 4, and 6) gears. An internal computer pre-selects gears to shift to during driving and simultaneously selects the next gear to shift to while engaging the first one. When the previous gear disengages the Orlando transmission shifts to the next gear and repeats the process.

All your car transmission questions answered at Toyota of Orlando

Transmissions can get confusing and our auto service department at Toyota of Orlando is here to answer your questions! We can guide you to the perfect vehicle with the ideal transmission to suit your needs or perform maintenance on your current vehicle’s transmission. Give us a call at (407) 298 – 4500 or visit us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall!

Towing equipment: types and basics

Looking to go on an extended vacation out of Orlando and need to bring a lot of stuff with you? Or maybe you need to move some equipment across town or you’re moving to a new house and don’t need moving truck? Whatever you need to move, having a hitch installed on your vehicle makes for a very convenient way to get your towing job done. If your Orlando Toyota didn’t come with a kit preinstalled or you’re looking to change your current tow hitch, it pays to know what to look for. Luckily, Toyota of Orlando is here with an easy guide on hitches so you can move anything and everything.

Different types of tow hitches

Typically, tow hitches are reserved for larger Toyota SUVs, minivans, and trucks. But, they can also be attached to sedans to tow bikes racks and small trailers. Most tow hitches are designed to haul specific types of cargo and weights and it can get confusing as to which one is right for your Orlando Toyota vehicle. Here are some of the different types of receiver tow hitches you might see often:

• ·       Class 1: These hitches are designed to haul up to 2,000 pounds and fit on smaller vehicles like sedans. They make for great bike rack holders and can haul small trailers.
• ·       Class 2: Very similar to class 1, this type of two hitch is designed to fit on mid-size SUVs, like the Orlando Toyota RAV4. They have a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds but are similar in size to the class 1 tow hitch.
• ·       Class 3: Designed for weights of up to 8,000 pounds, the class 3 hitch is designed for towing heavy loads like boats and large trailers. They’re typically outfitted on larger Orlando SUVs and trucks.
• ·       Class 4: Typically mounted on full size SUVs and trucks to tow up to 10,000 pounds. These hitches are also compatible with a weight distribution hitch that makes towing around Orlando safer and more fuel efficient.
• ·       Class 5: Also compatible with a weight distribution hitch, this towing equipment can haul between 16,000 and 20,000 pounds. These are typically attached to double wide trucks and larger Toyota vehicles.

Where there are some there are always more. Tow hitches also come in different specialty designs that are placed in different spots or they’re meant to only haul certain equipment. Let’s walk through some of the more specialty designed hitches:

• ·       Bumper hitch: Like a class 1 or 2, this hitch attaches directly to the bumper of the vehicle rather than being attached to the undercarriage. This limits the towing capacity to whatever the bumper is capable of and should be put on larger vehicles like Orlando trucks and SUVs.
• ·       Weight Distribution hitches: This type of hitch redistributes weight from the tongue of the tow hitch to keep the front end of your Orlando vehicle on the ground. Weight distribution hitches are compatible with class 3, 4, and 5 tow hitches.
• ·       5^th Wheel: With a towing capacity of up to 25,000 pounds, this tow hitch is designed only for large pickup trucks. It sits in the bed of an Orlando truck and is typically used to haul travel trailers.

Tow everything with Toyota of Orlando

Whether you’re looking to tow your bike on a rack or a travel trailer to travel across the country, Toyota of Orlando has the right towing equipment for you. We have plenty of new and used Toyota vehicles with the towing capacity you need or parts to outfit your current car. Give us a call at (407) 298 – 4500 or visit us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall!

Exhaust systems explained

The old exhaust system, another part on the underside of your Orlando vehicle that you probably don’t think about, unless you’re looking to put an aftermarket system in. While you may not think about it much, your system performs the important function of funneling out fumes, deposits, and waste from your engine when you hit the gas and cause fuel to combust. Without it, your engine would build up heat and waste too quickly and likely fail. Your combustion system may look like just a tail pipe or two, but it runs the length of your car and is a very large and important piece of equipment. Now that we’ve peaked your interest, we at Toyota of Orlando have a quick guide on different types of systems commonly found in vehicles.

The big five exhaust systems

Different types of Orlando systems will typically give your vehicle different characteristics regarding fuel efficiency and performance. Each type is designed to regulate the flow of gas in different ways depending on desired performance, noise, or design. All systems will include a catalytic converter that’s used to clean gasses and other parts of the exhaust. Here are five different types commonly found in various vehicles:

Single Exit Pipe

This type of exhaust system is the most common form and found in many different Orlando Toyota vehicles. You can usually spot this one on vehicles from dealerships like baseline SUV’s, sedans, and minivans as they will have a single tail pipe on the passenger side of the car. These exhaust systems are inexpensive to build and work very well for mass production vehicles.

Dual Rear Exit

Typically found in sportier Toyota models, this Orlando system is characterized by two tail pipes exiting the back end of the car and usually have a different sound to them. Drivers will typically experience a rumbling affect from the car on start up due to the exhaust system’s layout and design. While some tail pipes will bend around the rear wheels of the car, this system has straight piping, giving it that heavy engine sound and efficiency in waste expulsion.

Opposite Dual Exhaust

In contrast to the dual rear exhaust system, opposite dual exhaust wraps around the rear wheels of Toyota vehicles to add an additional layer to the gas filtering process. This type of system is usually found on larger vehicles like Orlando trucks that tow heavy loads of cargo. An added benefit to this system is its tendency to emit less residue and keep whatever you’re towing clean.

Dual Side Exhaust

A mix between both single and dual exhaust systems, the dual side is characterized by two tail pipes on one side of the vehicle next to each other. This Orlando system will typically have smaller sized tail pipes that still give that dual exhaust sound and performance without the big price tag.

High Performance

While they are a bit more on the expensive side, this exhaust system does an amazing job of filtering out gas fumes from your engine. This system is not usually found stock in many Orlando Toyota models and it typically aftermarket. Some benefits to this exhaust system type include pressure reduction, better filtration, and overall enhanced performance. However, this system requires a change of the engine manifold and comes with a much bigger price tag.

Toyota of Orlando is here to help with your exhaust system needs

If your curious about how your system works or want to make a few changes to it, Toyota of Orlando is here to help! Our expert auto service team and our genuine Orlando Toyota parts department can help you get the performance results you want at an affordable price. Give us a call at (407) 298 – 0001 or visit us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall!

Keep your car headlights shining: maintenance and restoration

You may not think they’re that important, but your headlights are your Orlando Toyota’s main line of defense when it comes to driving. They warn other drivers that you’re there and illuminate the road, so you can see. All in all, your headlights are an important piece to your vehicle and they need to be maintained or, in some cases, restored. Our expert auto service department at Toyota of Orlando is here with some tips for how to keep your car headlights shining bright.

Maintaining your Orlando headlights

While car headlights may have a long lifespan, eventually they will degrade and either burn out or they won’t shine as bright. Having malfunctioning car headlights puts you and other drivers at risk and our Orlando auto service team recommends these maintenance tips:

• Do some research on replacement bulbs. When it comes to replacing your car headlight bulbs there are a variety of options to choose from based on brightness, lifespan, and performance. Incandescent/Halogen, HID/Arc, LED, and laser are some common varieties of car headlights that you can choose from. Each type has different characteristics regarding their brightness and lifespan and, in some cases, their style. See which type is best for your vehicle and if you have questions you can always ask our Orlando auto service techs which type is right for you.
• Replace your fading bulbs. Be diligent when checking your car headlights as they may be nearing replacement time. Driving with only one working headlight will not only get you pulled over, but it disables other drivers from seeing your entire vehicle when driving at night or in low visibility conditions in Orlando. Replacing your current car headlight bulb is actually very easy. Open your hood and look behind your car headlight assembly. There should be a collection of wires there with a piece that screws into the actual assembly. Unscrew it and there’s your lightbulb socket!
• Make sure to replace your headlights in pairs. To avoid having the problem of your car headlights burning out at different times, replace them in pairs. While you may have a current bulb that has some life left in it, replace it anyway and you can always keep it around in case on of your new bulbs turns out defective or gets damaged.

How to restore your car headlights

If your Orlando Toyota is getting on in years, chances are that foggy residue has built up on your headlight assembly and that’s why they’re not shining as bright anymore. Having an Orlando auto service mechanic restore your car headlights is always a viable option, but if you’re looking for a personal project or a way to save some money, restoring them yourself is a straightforward process. Here are some instructions for how to restore your vehicle’s headlights using a restoration kit:

• Make sure your Orlando Toyota is clean. Giving your vehicle a bath should always be the first step before any headlight restoration project. This will ensure that during the additional steps, dirt and residue doesn’t find its way into the car headlight assembly or scratches don’t show up after you’ve finished. If you’d rather not wash your entire vehicle, at the very least you should clean the area around your car headlights.
• Use plenty of painter’s tape. Our Orlando auto service technicians recommend using this for any DIY vehicle project. Painter’s tape will keep headlight cleaner and sanding material away from the surrounding paint and prevent unintended damages.
• Sand your headlights. Included in your restoration kit should be sandpaper or an abrasive pad. Use this to scrape away the top layer of residue and prep the area for the next steps. Our Orlando auto service techs recommend using an orbital sander to make the project a bit easier but doing it by hand will always work.
• Polish for a clean finish. After your sanding has removed most of the foggy residue, wipe your headlights clean and apply a layer of wax with a microfiber cloth. This will take care of any leftover haziness and fill in the scratches from the sanding process.

If you’re not looking to invest too much time and money in an at home headlight restoration kit, toothpaste and baking soda can always be used as a quick and easy solution to your foggy headlights.

Toyota of Orlando will make your headlights shine

If DIY restoration or replacement isn’t for you or if you have any questions, Toyota of Orlando is here to help! Our expert team of auto service technicians can help get your headlights shining bright again so you can stay safe on the road. Give us a call at (407) 298 – 0001 to schedule your service appointment or visit us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.

Are your car sensors tingling? A guide to car engine sensors

The engine and all of its parts would be nothing without working sensors. With so many parts and fluids and hoses, having working sensors is a must and without them you’d never know if there was a problem with your vehicle. But, with so many parts there are a lot of sensors and it can get to be a bit much. Thankfully, we at Toyota of Orlando have put together a guide on car engine sensors straight from our auto service team.

We’re sensing some issues here

Car engine sensors are hidden throughout your Orlando vehicle and monitor essential functions that keep everything flowing smoothly. They adjust, monitor, and warn if problems are going to happen. All in all, these Orlando vehicle parts do a lot for being such small parts. But, like a lot of car engine parts, sensors have their own set of issues. Let’s walk through some of the different parts in your vehicle and some common engine maintenance issues that could happen over time.

Oxygen

• The oxygen sensor is one of the most replaced parts in Orlando vehicles and that’s due to its aging process and functions.
• The car engine uses this part to adjust and determine the optimal fuel temperature for normal operation.
• Having a normal functioning part maintains good emissions and fuel economy. There could be anywhere from 2 – 4 in your Orlando car engine that work up and down stream with the flow of your fuel.
• This part can become damaged from exhaust contaminants or silicates from a coolant leak that causes the part to become sluggish or unresponsive.
• If left unchecked or unrepaired, this can cause poor emissions and fuel economy for your Orlando Toyota.

Coolant

• Keeping the PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) informed on coolant temperatures is the job of this part.
• The PCM acts almost as a computer for your Orlando Toyota and performs over 100 functions relating to performance and function of the car engine.
• This part can be damaged from car overheating and could cause a decrease in fuel efficiency.

Throttle Position

• This part monitors the position of the throttle opening and interacts with the PCM to estimate the correct amount of air flow to the engine.
• Damage to this component can cause a “flat spot” that results in hesitation and jumpy accelerations when pushing the gas.

MAP

• The Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor is responsible for regulating the pressure difference between the intake vacuum and the outside atmosphere.
• Damage to this part can cause acceleration hesitation, bad fuel mixtures, and spark timing issues.

Mass Airflow (MAF)

• The MAF measures airflow to the engine during operation to burn fuel at the correct rate for optimal fuel efficiency.
• It can be damaged by tarnish or built up fuel residue and cause hesitation and/or poor fuel efficiency.

Crankshaft and Camshaft

• Measures the speed and position of the crankshaft and configures the engine firing order.
• Damage to this Orlando car engine part can cause inconsistent or failed start-ups.

Temperature

• This Orlando part monitors air density caused by temperature changes and adjusts the fuel mixture accordingly.
• If damaged, it could cause fuel efficiency and performance errors.

Tire Pressure

• Tire pressure sensors warn drivers if their tire pressure falls below 25% of what the normal pressure level is in their tires.
• They’re installed within the wheel itself and typically have a lifespan of about five to seven years.
• Replacing them isn’t too difficult and our auto service experts recommend doing so when replacing tires.

Toyota of Orlando can sense your issue

If you’re a little confused about car engine sensors or think that you might need one replaced, come by Toyota of Orlando! Our expert auto service technicians can answer any questions and replace your sensors for an affordable price. Give us a call at (407) 298 – 0001 to schedule an appointment or visit us at 3575 Vineland Road. We’re open seven days a week!

Car brakes: care and maintenance

Driving is all about stop and go, especially if you live in Orlando and you drive on I-4. Using your car brakes is one of the most important aspects of driving and without them you’d be in serious trouble. Keeping them maintained so you can stop on time and quickly is crucial to a safe driving experience whenever you get behind the wheel. Toyota of Orlando has a comprehensive guide straight from our expert service technicians to keep your car brakes in good shape and to know when it’s time to get them serviced.

Hit the brakes and start with the basics

Like any part of your Orlando Toyota, brakes have several parts to make them function properly and while we won’t go too in depth, it helps to know the major parts and how they work. Car brakes typically consist of these parts:

Brake discs/rotors.

This larger part of your car brakes is responsible for coming into contact with the brake pads to slow your vehicle down. When you press on your brake pedal the pads make contact with the rotor, create friction, and slow down your Orlando Toyota vehicle.

Brake pads.

Brake pads are the piece that comes into contact with the rotor to slow your vehicle down. They’re set into holdings called calipers that hold them on either side of the rotor. This part of your brakes is replaced most often and there are several types, depending on your desired brake life and sound.

Calipers.

Calipers hold the brake pads in place and wrap around the rotor to connect with your Orlando Toyota car brake line.

Tell-tale signs that it’s time for car break maintenance

Car brakes are fairly straight-forward, but that doesn’t mean they should be ignored as an essential part of your Orlando Toyota vehicle. Problems and issues can always happen and here’s what you should look for when inspecting your car brakes:

• Listening to the sounds your brakes make while you drive your Orlando Toyota is a good place to start. If you hear squealing, squeaking, or any sound that’s not normal when you hit the brakes, it’s probably time for maintenance.
• Checking the brake pad thickness can also tell you if your car brakes need maintenance. Luckily, you don’t have to take the wheels off of your Orlando Toyota to check this. Look between the spokes of your wheel and find the caliper. The pads are attached to it and hug the rotor. If they look like they’re less than a ¼ inch thick, then it’s time to get some new pads.
• While looking at your brake pads, it’s best to also check the rotor. As the pads wear down, so does the rotor. The rotor can also become rusty and might need resurfacing to perform correctly.
• Shuddering or wheel tugging can also indicate a possible car brake issue. However, this could be a suspension issue as well and should be checked by an auto service expert.
  

Toyota of Orlando has all your brake needs

Is your vehicle not stopping on time or making squealing sounds when you apply the brakes? Toyota of Orlando is here to service your brakes and get you back on the road quickly. Our expert service specialists are here to help and answer any questions you have! Give us a call at (407) 298 – 0001 to schedule an appointment or visit us at 3575 Vineland Road. We’re open seven days a week for your convenience. 

Spark plugs: basics and maintenance

You might be thinking, what even is a spark plug and why should I care about it? Like most parts in Orlando Toyota vehicles, spark plugs play an important role when it comes to keeping your ride moving and operating normally. This part is responsible for making sure that your engine starts and maintains power throughout your drive. To help better understand these integral engine pieces, Toyota of Orlando has a comprehensive guide and some maintenance tips straight from our service experts!

A small piece with a big role

Spark plugs emit electricity to ignite fuel and start your Orlando Toyota’s engine. This small piece performs a big job and it’s important to know how they work and how to take care of them to keep your vehicle running smoothly.

• Spark plugs can withstand excessive amounts of heat and pressure from the pistons of the engine. They are also self-cleaning by burning off additives and debris from fuel ignition.

• They can be made out of several different materials depending on the vehicle they’re being placed in and the time you want to go between replacements. Copper based plugs are the weakest material while composite based ones will typically have a much longer life span and be more damage resistant.

• Having working and optimized plugs in your Orlando Toyota can have benefits that go beyond just smooth start-ups. They can eliminate a lot of performance related issues by providing consistent combustion. Additionally, your Orlando Toyota will have better fuel economy by reducing engine misfires and less harmful emissions. 

Spark plug damage and how to take care of them

Although spark plugs are pretty resilient, they too can suffer damage and put a dent in your ride. Typically, plugs last an estimated 30,000 miles but can go much longer depending on related maintenance and driving habits. Some damages to watch out for include:

• Deposit buildup: This is a more common form of damage to a spark plug that can be fixed by simply cleaning it with a wire brush. However, prolonged buildup can cause quick aging and other issues. 
• Misalignment: Because of indirect damage and deposit buildup, spark plugs can become misaligned and this widens what’s called a “jump gap (the space electricity must travel to combustion).” As damages occur and the jump gap widens, start-ups become delayed or misfires can occur which spells trouble for your Toyota. 
• Cracked porcelain: Smaller pieces of your plugs can also get damaged or cracked over time, depending on the plug type, age, buildup, and so on. If porcelain pieces of the plug become cracked or broken, then it’s time to look for replacements. 

Now that we’ve walked you through the various damages that can befall your plugs, it’s time to learn how to take care of and replace them, if need be.

1. Disconnect the plug lead.
2. Remove the plug using a plug specific socket.
3. If there are light deposits on the plug, use a wire brush to clean it. Don’t use a shot blaster or abrasives to clean them.
4. After cleaning the light deposits, look for any cracks in the porcelain or heavier deposits as you may need to replace the plug.
5. Check and adjust the plugs so that they are in their proper position.
6. If a plug needs to be replaced in your Toyota, don’t over-tighten and make sure to reattach the lead. 
7. After replacing the plug, start your engine to make sure that everything is working correctly.

Toyota of Orlando is here for your spark plug needs

If you’re still unsure about plug maintenance or have any questions on how to take care of them, Toyota of Orlando is here to help! Our expert service technicians have all the help you need to get you back up and running in no time. Give us a call at (407) 298 – 0001 or visit us at 3575 Vineland Road. We’re open seven days a week!