Tips for a More Economical Car Detailing

While we might be in the midst of a pandemic, the urge to explore and enjoy the outdoors is becoming more palpable week after week. Finding a bike is next to impossible and people are walking everywhere. If you're someone who hasn't been driving, you're ride might be in dire need of a good detailing. Many drivers see this as a unnecessary chore (haters), but there's no better time to get outside and soak up some sun while car detailing. 

If you don't have Orlando car detailing supplies lying around and you don't want to spend the money, we're here to help. Check out Toyota of Orlando's guide on economical car detailing right here. 

Car Detailing on a Budget

Washing Your Car

When it comes to washing your ride it's not likely that you'll be willing to sink the money on auto body soap. You might be tempted to use other household supplies like laundry and dish soap to get the job done on the cheap, but these substances can actually damage your Orlando Toyota car's paint. Instead you can make makeshift car soap with hair conditioner and water. This can help your paint repel water and enhance the shine. 

Interior Cleaning

Cleaning your interior usually involves microfiber cloths and specifically formulated cleaning supplies. If you don't have the right supplies lying around you can always use olive oil and a soft cloth. A few drops of oil can cure lackluster vinyl and plastic surfaces and SofTex trim. For cloth seats, don't waste your money on expensive shampoos and cleaners! You can always use soap, water, and a sponge to scrub any stains. 

Window Cleaning

Cleaning your vehicle's glass surfaces can be quite a challenge but it's essential to give yourself the clearest view when driving. Instead of opting for harmful ammonia based cleaners that can damage your glass and tint, use white vinegar and water along with strong paper. This can gently clean away smudges and preserve your tint job all at an affordable price. 

Hard to Remove Debris

Things like bird droppings and lovebug remains are particularly difficult to remove from your vehicle's paint. If you don't have something like goo-gone lying around, WD-40 can do the trick! A greasy substance is safe to use on Orlando vehicle paint and can help lift the difficult to remove substance. 

Bad Smells

Offensive and lingering odors can truly put a damper on your drive. Instead of using a spray and forget it type of product, try using baking soda. This natural odor absorber is cheap and easy to apply. Simply sprinkle it onto your seats and carpet, let it sit for a few hours, and then vacuum it up. A small bag of charcoal can also be used to absorb odd smells. 

Need Help Car Detailing on the Cheap?

If you need budget-friendly help with your car detailing, Toyota of Orlando is here to help! Give our auto service department a call and schedule your appointment today at (407) 298 0001. 

Car Shopping Terms You Should be Aware of Before You Buy a New Car

There's nothing better than the smell of a new car and the feeling of a new steering wheel in your hands. Car shopping leads to a freeing result of automotive autonomy and the freedom to go wherever a tank of gas and four wheels can take you. But, before you can get there it's a confusing and sometimes stressful process. It can get especially confusing when you factor in the various terms and jargon you probably don't know unless you've been through the process before. 

If you need a little refresher on what these various car shopping terms are and mean, Toyota of Orlando is here to help!

Car Terms You Should Know

Term 1) Blue Book Value

If you're looking to trade in your current ride to have more money to work with, you'll want to know the blue book value. This number is what your pre-owned vehicle is worth and how much you can expect to get from a trade-in. Kelley Blue Book is the most often used resource for calculating this value and can be used before you arrive to Toyota of Orlando so you know what you're working with. 

Term 2) Down Payment

When financing or leasing during car shopping, most drivers put a down payment toward their purchase. This is a certain amount of money (determined by the purchaser) that lessens the amount you need to pay off for your lease or financing. 

Term 3) Financing

When Orlando car shopping you have options for how you want to purchase your vehicle. If you're looking for more of a vehicle ownership approach, financing is the way to go. As many drivers don't all the cash needed to purchase a car just lying around, financing allows drivers to use a bank or dealership sourced loan plus a down payment to pay for their vehicle. 

Term 4) Extended Warranty

Many new Orlando Toyota vehicles come equipped with great warranties to cover technical failures and other possible happenstances. But, for the consumer's piece of mind, extended warranties are offered to lengthen the mileage or time drivers have to cash in on their warranty. 

Term 5) Trade-In

Selling your pre-owned ride back to the dealership during car shopping is what's called a trade-in. Essentially you're trading your current ride for a new one. 

Term 6) Term

This defines the length amount of time you'll be financing or leasing your Orlando Toyota car. Lease terms typically last for 36 months (3 years) while financing loans typically go for 5 years. 

Term 7) Trim-Level

Cars are heavily categorized to make segment and ensure that drivers are getting the vehicle and accessory package they want. A vehicle's make is the brand that produces it (Toyota, Chevy, Ford), the model is the specific vehicle (Camry, Malibu, F150), and each model is then broken down into trim levels that define what accessories are available. 

Do you have more questions about the car shopping process? Luckily, Toyota of Orlando is here to help and make the process easy and painless. Give us a call at (407) 298 4500 with any questions and shop our inventory online anytime!

What should you know about Toyota's next hybrid engineering system?

Have you ever gotten behind the wheel of a Toyota hybrid car? It's a great way to not only cut your fuel costs but to also make your day-to-day life significantly greener and more eco-friendly. And we've got good news - things are about to improve even more. Toyota is on the cusp of introducing an all-new hybrid engineering system, and Toyota of Orlando has the details about what this cutting-edge technology will be bringing to the table. 

The new Toyota hybrid engineering system will debut on 2021 cars 

The next Toyota Hybrid Engineering System (THES II) will likely make its way onto our lot in 2021 models - specifically, the new Toyota Venza and Toyota Sienna. You probably remember the Orlando Toyota Venza; this popular crossover was retired 5 years ago, but it's making a comeback in 2021 and will be offered as an eco-friendly Toyota hybrid car. And we're sure you've heard that the 2021 Toyota Sienna will be showcasing a major redesign both inside and out in the next model year, even under the hood - it will be offered solely in a hybrid drivetrain for those who want a family-friendly car that's also environmentally responsible. Both of these new Toyotas will house the Toyota Hybrid Engineering System II. 

However, before we start talking about what future hybrid engineering systems will offer, let's talk about what's currently available. Toyota currently offers a full hybrid system, which means you have both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine working. These two components work together to power the vehicle, but they can also each operate independently. This helps increase efficiency and also cut down on emissions. Other makes may offer different types of hybrid technology, like parallel or series systems. These hybrid systems are less efficient and less clean. 

Toyota of Orlando explains hybrid tech

So what will the Toyota Hybrid Engineering System II offer in terms of upgrades? Here's a brief overview of what you can expect at Toyota of Orlando in 2021: 

• New nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion batteries will be introduced into the mix; they're smaller and lighter, which means they can be placed under the back seats to give you more passenger room and more cargo space. 
• A new high-speed combustion technology means these Orlando Toyotas will be both more efficient AND more powerful. 
• A new power control unit has been added that's both smaller and lighter. It additionally lowers electrical loss by up to 10% for a more efficient performance. 
• A new rolling-coil structure, new magnetic steel, a new multi-axis structure, and new wires make for a smaller and lighter motor, which means your Orlando Toyota will be lighter overall. 

We can't wait to get our hands on one of these new Toyota hybrids - get more information and find out when they'll arrive at Toyota of Orlando by giving us a call at (407) 298-4500 or by visiting us at 3575 Vineland Road. 

Keeping your car cool: Toyota of Orlando's car care tips

Summer is a great season to hit the beach, make the most of your pool, and enjoy time off from school. However, it's also incredibly hot here in Orlando during this particular season, and that heat coupled with high humidity can ensure that your drive time is miserable if you don't take the right steps. Toyota of Orlando is here with quick and easy car care tips to help you stay cool all summer long no matter how hot it is outside! 

Summer car care tips to keep you cool 

Tip #1: Plan where you park. It's important to consider where you park any time of the year, but especially so in summer. Our Orlando car care experts recommend that you choose covered parking whenever possible - a garage or parking garage is best, but any type of cover will help keep your car cooler during the day. Even a shady spot under some trees is better than nothing when things heat up. 

Tip #2: Cover your steering wheel. Your steering wheel can get blisteringly hot if you're not careful, making it uncomfortable to drive at first. Our pro tip is to invest in a windshield sunshade - not only will it keep your steering wheel cool, it'll also protect your car's interior from fading AND keep things cooler. If you're in a pinch, cover your steering wheel with a t-shirt or towel, or even turn it 180 degrees after you park so the top is now at the bottom and out of the sun. 

Tip #3: Try to get the hot air out as fast as you can. Getting into your car after it's been sitting in the sun all day can be a downright miserable experience. It can feel like an oven when you open the door, so our Orlando car care experts have a few tips to help you cool it down quickly. First, open all of your car doors to let as much heat as possible escape. Next, roll down all the windows and crank the A/C up. This will get hot air out and cold air circulating inside the cabin of your Orlando Toyota. Finally, roll all the windows up to seal in the cold air. 

Tip #4: Don't let A/C issues linger. Is your A/C on the fritz? Don't suffer all summer long - schedule car care at Toyota of Orlando and let our techs get you cooled down and back on the road. If you can't take care of it right away, however, don't sweat all day. Investing in a small battery-powered or solar-powered fan can help your situation enormously, and draping a cold, wet towel over the vents will cool down the air being pushed into the cabin. 

Schedule your seasonal car care at Toyota of Orlando 

Want more tips or need some summer car care on the books? Call Toyota of Orlando at (407) 298-0001 or visit us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. 

Auto glass repair 101

When it comes to performance, your auto glass plays a pretty important part. After all, it keeps the outside OUT of your car's cabin, keeps you comfortable no matter the weather, and protects you and your passengers from dirt, grime, and road debris every single time you hit the highway. That's why it's so essential to repair damage to your auto glass quickly. If you don't, you're running the risk of further damage to your car and injury to yourself and your passengers. Toyota of Orlando is here to explain the ins and outs of auto glass repair with the help of techs from our Certified Collision Center!

Auto glass damage: How does it happen? 

Although it may seem sturdy, it's actually pretty easy to sustain damage to the auto glass in your Orlando Toyota (unfortunately). Usually, this damage happens when road debris (like a rock) flies up and hits the glass, or when you get into an accident or collision. Either way, the damage usually starts on the top level of the glass, chipping it and weakening its structural integrity. From there, with the right pressure, it can crack outward (sort of like a spiderweb), weakening the glass even further and putting both you and your passengers at risk of injury. 

That's why it's key to address auto glass repair as soon as possible. The last thing you want is your windshield collapsing inward, showering you with glass. But how do you know if you need auto glass repair or if you need to replace that section of glass altogether? Here are some quick rules to go by: 

• If the damage is smaller than a quarter and doesn't have cracks spiderwebbing out of it, then you should be able to get auto glass repair. (However, this may leave a blemish in the glass - if that bothers you, then you should discuss auto glass replacement as an option with your insurance carrier.)
• If the damage is larger than a dollar or has spiderwebbing cracks, then you'll likely need a replacement (this is typical of damage like this on a windshield). 

How to repair this type of damage on your Orlando Toyota

In either case, you should contact your insurance company to get the ball rolling. Did you know that in the state of Florida your auto glass repair or replacement is covered by insurance? You won't even have to pay toward a deductible - it'll be absolutely free under state law. You definitely want to use your car insurance, too, because chips can cost upwards of $100 to fix while replacement glass can be anywhere north of $400. 

You will, however, have to file a claim with your insurance company to make it happen. And the best news? You can get repairs done at our Orlando Toyota Certified Collision Center with our qualified, reliable techs so you can safely hit the road again in no time. 

Have questions or need auto glass repairs in Orlando? Call us! Toyota of Orlando's Collision Center is open and waiting to help at (407) 298-6006 and we're conveniently located just off I-4 across from Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road. 

New Toyota GR Corolla Hot Hatch Incoming!

A few months ago North America released the biggest collective sigh the automotive industry has ever seen. The new Toyota GR Yaris was revealed to be released in European and Asian markets and not on our side of the pond. Yes, it was a sad day for Toyota fans on this side of the globe but there's a happy end to this story. While it hasn't been officially confirmed by Toyota, a new webpage has been created and we're confident that these rumors and speculations are far from tailpipe dreams. 

A new Toyota GR Hot Hatch, specific to North America, will be coming to Toyota of Orlando before you know it!

What Exactly is a Hot Hatch?

Before we dive into the highly anticipated Orlando hot hatch, it might be helpful to explain what exactly makes a hot hatch a hot hatch. 

Simply put, a hot hatch is defined as a derivative of the popular hatchback body style that's been re-tuned and re-engineered for performance and other special driving maneuvers. A past standard of hot hatches was the use of the FF Layout which employs front wheel drive and an engine in the front of the vehicle. Since the 1960s, hot hatches have been on the scene giving drivers a new type of sportscar to race with. In the 80s this subgenre found a greater following and production as many auto brands made their own iterations of this popular vehicle type. 

Hot hatches today are engineered a bit differently with AWD being the norm and highly tuned engines coming right from the assembly line. While North America may not be getting the GR Yaris anytime, we're getting something better. Here's what we know so far about the upcoming Orlando new Toyota GR Corolla Hatchback. 

The Upcoming Toyota GR Corolla Hatchback

While there hasn't been an official announcement yet, we're certain that a new Toyota hot hatch is destined to make its way to our Orlando dealership soon. Here's what we've gathered so far:

• The new Toyota GR Corolla Hatchback will include the same 3-cylinder turbo-charged engine featured on the GR Yaris. This engine can rep 257 horsepower and 266 lb/ft of torque. 
• A six-speed manual transmission will be offered. 
• This new Toyota is estimated to carry an MSRP of about $30,000 and include several optional upgrades. 

If you're like us, you're over the moon excited about the arrival of this new Toyota to Toyota of Orlando! Stay up to date on our inventory by checking our inventory online anytime or by giving us a call at (407) 298 4500 today! 

What's Up with the New Toyota Hybrid System?

For the loyal Toyota fans out there, the headlines have been good as of late. The Toyota Venza is returning in ultimate luxury fashion, the Sienna is getting a much-needed refresh with upgrades to both its interior and exterior, the Corolla Hatchback is getting a new (and eye-catchingly red) special edition, and a GR Hot Hatch is coming soon! There's a lot to catch up on if you're just seeing this information for the first time, but there's one thing about these new models that may have caught your eye. Toyota will be using a new type of engineering, deemed the Toyota Hybrid System II, for the Venza and Sienna that has us wondering what's changed. 

The Venza and the Sienna will be arriving to Toyota of Orlando before you know it and you're probably what exactly has changed with the new Toyota hybrid system. We're here to walk you through it so you can shop smart and appreciate the wonders of Toyota technology. 

The Toyota Hybrid System

Toyota is credited with putting the first commercial hybrid on the road, the Orlando Toyota Prius, back in 1997. With time the engineering and functionality of this unique motor system has changed significantly since 1997. To understand just what makes the new Toyota Hybrid System II so different, we need to take a dive back into how the original hybrid system works!

As you probably know well by now, a hybrid vehicle uses both an internal combustion engine and an electric powered motor that uses a rechargeable battery. Toyota uses what's called a "full hybrid" system. This means that the Toyota hybrid uses both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine and each power source can act independently in some capacity. There are other types of Orlando Toyota hybrid systems, like Parallel that only receives light assistance from the electric motor and Series that uses electric power entirely to drive and an internal combustion engine for charging purposes. 

What Sets the Orlando Toyota Hybrid System II Apart?

It's a well-known fact that technology in the automotive industry only gets better year after year and that goes for Toyota's use of hybrid based technology. The new Hybrid System II will be used first in the Toyota Venza and Sienna to be released during this summer and drivers will likely notice a significant difference from previous Orlando Toyota hybrids.  

A large upfront change is a significant weight reduction from the previous hybrid systems. The Power Control Unit (PCU) in the Toyota Hybrid System II is 20% lighter and 10% smaller than previous iterations. This gave Toyota engineers the ability to place this component above the transaxle for better performance. The transaxle (a large part of the hybrid assembly) is now using a rolling-coil structure, less wiring, and a new gear structure designed to reduce power loss over time and distance. A new nickel-metal hydride battery will also be used thereby reducing the overall size of the battery and cooling system.  

Are you interested in checking out the new Toyota hybrid Venza and Sienna? They'll be here at Toyota of Orlando very soon! Shop our inventory online and check back for frequent updates. 

Ceramic coating: Should you use it on your car?

Have you ever heard of ceramic coating? This unique product is a great way to not only add a layer of protection to the exterior of your car but also keep your resale value high by keeping your paint looking like new. If you've never heard of it or are unsure if it's a good investment, Toyota of Orlando's body shop is here to help. Our techs are going to explain what ceramic coating is and what it can do for your car so you can schedule your appointment at our Toyota Collision Center today. 

What is ceramic coating? 

First - what is ceramic coating? Basically, it's similar to wax in that it's applied to your car's paint and helps protect it. The similarities end there, though - ceramic coating is very different from your typical car wax. It's actually a liquid polymer that has to be applied carefully by hand to ensure an even coat, which is why it's recommended that you let our Orlando body shop techs take care of it for you. Once applied, it chemically bonds with your car's paint and forms either a semi-permanent or permanent bond. This means it repels moisture better than wax, protects better than wax, and also lasts longer than wax. 

Toyota of Orlando explains the perks of this unique product 

So, what can ceramic coating do for your car? Here are some perks our Orlando body shop techs presented to us when it comes to this unique product and its capabilities. 

#1: Protection 

Ceramic coating is a great way to protect your car's paint. It forms a barrier between the car paint and everything else, which means it fights off oxidization and UV rays (which cause your paint to fade) and chemical staining. It can even help to prevent small scratches and dings. All in all, it helps to keep your paint intact better than a simple car wax would, and for longer.

#2: Gloss 

Who doesn't like a car that looks brand new all the time? Ceramic coating also helps enhance the shine and gloss of your Orlando Toyota's paint, so you'll be putting your best foot forward every time you hit the road. 

#3: Easy cleaning

No need for elbow grease after you apply ceramic coating - while you'll still have to wash your car, you won't have to work as hard at it. Ceramic coating repels moisture (which also means it repels rust) so water easily beads up and slides off. This means mud and grime will also bead up and slide off when you wash, so your days of scrubbing are long gone. On top of that, you don't have to keep reapplying ceramic coating like you do a car wax, so you'll save both time and energy when detailing your car. 

Have more questions or want this product applied to your Orlando Toyota? Call us! Our Toyota Certified Collision Center in Orlando is ready and waiting to answer all of your questions and get you on the road to paint protection and a newer-looking car today. You can reach us at (407) 298-6006 or swing by and see us at 3575 Vineland Road just off I-4 across from Millenia Mall.