Do you have these new Toyota apps on your phone?

 When it comes to technology and connectivity, Toyota is pretty forward-thinking. Their cars are stocked with the latest and greatest tech for entertainment, convenience, and safety. But recently, that forward-thinking mindset has been stretched one step farther... to your phone. Here's a quick guide to Toyota's latest suite of new Toyota apps that you should have on your device if you own or drive one of our vehicles. 

Toyota Service Connect 

This app is excellent for keeping your car in the best shape possible. As you probably guessed from the name, it makes car care, maintenance, and repairs easier than ever before. Once you link it to your Orlando Toyota's VIN, Toyota Service Connect can send you reminders about your car's maintenance, let you know how it's doing health-wise, and if you have a light come on in the dash, let you know why it's on. It also sends our Orlando Toyota service alerts if you have a car care issue so we can check in with you and see if you need to schedule a service appointment for your new Toyota. 

Toyota Remote Connect 

Remote Connect is designed to make driving your new Toyota as easy, enjoyable, and convenient as possible. With this app, you can log in to lock and unlock your car right from your phone, as well as start your car (which is perfect for hot summers - imagine climbing into a cool cabin at the end of the day), and get vehicle status alerts for your fuel level. You can also assign guest drivers and then set limits for their speed and mileage (great for teen drivers). 

Additionally, if you drive the Orlando Toyota Prius Plug-in or Toyota Mirai, Toyota Remote Connect will help you find charging stations or hydrogen fueling stations, control the climate settings of the interior, and manage your car's charge. 

Joya Virtual Driving Companion 

If you've ready any of our articles, you know that paying attention when you're behind the wheel is critical to safety. This means you have to keep your hands on the wheel (and off of your phone). That's where Joya comes in. This voice-controlled virtual assistant acts as a digital tool to keep you connected to your new Toyota (the tool will first be introduced in the 2021 Toyota Sienna). It's kind of like a car owner's manual in AI form - it'll be able to fetch you information for anything and everything you want to know about your Orlando Toyota. 

Stay safe and connected every time you get behind the wheel. See it all in person - you can visit Toyota of Orlando to learn more about these new Toyota apps AND test them out for yourself. Call us at (407) 298-4500 or stop by and see us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. 

How to Get Pesky Stains out of Your Car Interior Carpet and Headliner

 Picture this. You're driving down the highway, terribly late for work. Then, suddenly, you run right into the pothole of a lifetime and coffee goes flying everywhere. Now, the carpet, seats, and headliner are thoroughly stained and your day just got exponentially worse. 

While the humiliation is difficult to wash away, the stains in your car interior are actually not super difficult to clean out. If you're tired of staring at reminders of mornings gone wrong every time you get behind the wheel, you're in luck! Toyota of Orlando is here to help you out with some quick tips. 

Stains Can be Quite a Pain

Stains in your Orlando car interior are pesky, but they can actually be remedied quite easily. However, you need to make sure you go about it the right way before you start wiping away willy nilly. Here's some prep work you should do before diving in:

Get the Right Materials

Like with anything automotive, it pays to have the right tools at your disposal. For removing stains from your interior surfaces, here are a few things you should have handy: 

• A small, strong bristle brush. Think a medium-strong bristle toothbrush (PSA, don't use those on your teeth) or a nail brush (this is the best thing to use). 
• Spray bottle. This is what you're going to be putting your cleaning solution into. 
• Vinegar, a dash of dish soap, and warm water. This is going to be your cleaning solution for removing stains. 
• A washcloth or microfiber cloth. 

Mix Up Your Cleaning Solution

We're gonna keep it au naturale with this one. You can technically use commercial grade carpet stain remover suited for Orlando Toyota cars, but this one is much more cost-effective and natural. To make this wonder-cleaner, simply combine 1 part warm water, 1 part white vinegar, and a dash of dish soap. Put this into a spray bottle and you're good to go!

Now that you've finished your prep work, it's time to get things done. 

Start by Brushing

If you're wondering what a toothbrush or a nail brush has to do with removing stains, you're about to learn. A key thing to consider when removing stains from your Orlando car interior is to start high before going low. Your headliner is much more sensitive a material to work with and will benefit from clean starting materials. Your brush is meant to break up the stain particles in your materials before applying solution. This will make it easier to work with and get rid of. 

Start Removing Those Stains

It's time to start removing those stains! Starting with the headline, brush the stains thoroughly before trying to remove them with the cleaner. PRO TIP! For removing stains from the car interior headliner, make sure to spray a light amount of solution onto the cloth and not the headliner directly. Spraying the headliner directly could cause the adhesive to deteriorate faster. For carpet stains you can spray them directly with your solution and scrub roughly until the stain is removed. You may need to reapply your stain remover solution, but eventually the stain will come out. 

Ready to get those stains out of your car interior? Toyota of Orlando can help you out if you're having trouble! Visit the dealership at 3575 Vineland Road. 

Don't skip these five auto service appointments: Toyota of Orlando tips

We know, we know - we're always harping on you to get your car care on the schedule. We know we can be annoying, but we have the best intentions. Keeping your car on a routine car maintenance schedule ensures efficient and safe performance, low repair bills, and higher resale value should you decide you want to sell or trade in down the road. However, even if you can't stick to a schedule for your ride's care, there are certain Toyota service appointments you should NEVER skip. Here are the five our Orlando Toyota car care techs recommend getting on the books routinely. 

Get these five auto services on the books ASAP 

#1: Oil changes: Oil is VITAL to performance. It keeps your engine cool and lubricated. When it gets too dirty to do its job or the level gets too low, you can have serious (and expensive repercussions) anywhere from your car overheating to your engine actually permanently conking out. It's critical to schedule your routine oil changes at our Orlando auto service center to ensure your engine doesn't get damaged. 

#2: Replacing your brake pads: Your brake pads, if you remember, press against the rotor to bring your car to a stop when you hit your brake pedal. Over time, they wear out and need to be replaced as they thin down. If you skip this Orlando auto service, they'll wear down too thin and then your rotors can become warped and damaged. This affects braking power and can lead to a costly rotor replacement if you want to keep your car on the road. Trust us, it's much cheaper to just get regular brake service! 

#3: Changing your air filter: Your engine air pulls in air in order to ignite fuel so it's important that the air it intakes is clean. That's where your engine air filter comes in. It prevents dirt and debris from being pulled into the engine alongside the aforementioned air. When it gets too dirty, your car may pull in less air which can lead to major performance problems over time. Swap it out for a clean one regularly. 

#4: Tire rotations: No one wants to pay for new tires. We get it. So get your tires rotated! Rotating your tires ensures that they all wear evenly and also extends their life so you can go longer in between tire replacements. Save yourself money and schedule this routine Orlando car care appointment when your tech recommends it. 

#5: Swapping out your timing belt: Luckily, this is one Orlando auto service appointment that you won't have to schedule too often. But it's critical that you do it when you're due for it. Your timing belt keeps your car's engine running properly - it ensures that every process that happens, happens at the right time. Over time, it will wear out (but not for 100,000 miles or so). When that happens, it's worth making the investment to replace it. If it breaks before it's replaced, it not only can break parts inside the engine bay but can also render your car useless. 

Schedule your routine car care at Toyota of Orlando today! 

Need to schedule one of these essential auto services (or anything else)? Call Toyota of Orlando today. We're open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001! 

How to Take Better Care of Your Auto Glass

How often do you actually think about windows? Not the PC operating system, silly, the things in your home and on your car. The things you look out of to see things. Our guess is probably not too much. Windows are often things we see through but we don't really see. When it comes to our cars, there are more interesting parts to look at and we often forget that our auto glass performs the essential job of protecting and shielding us from all manner of things on the road. 

Taking care of this group of auto parts is beyond important and we're sure you haven't been doing things quite right. Luckily, Toyota of Orlando is here to help with some great tips!

Easy Ways to Care for Your Auto Glass

If you're not often paying attention to your car's auto glass you'll likely fail to realize just how much punishment your windows and windshield take. Here's how to better care for these Orlando auto parts:

Use the Right Cleaners

Doing the right job requires the right equipment and it pays to use the correct cleaners when cleaning the auto glass in your car. Before you reach for the any glass cleaner you have kicking around, remember that certain substances, especially ammonia, can be harmful to your window tint if you have it installed. Instead, make sure to use a glass-friendly cleaner for your Orlando Toyota windows. 

If you don't have a cleaner kicking around or would rather use something a little more natural, you can make one with a few simple ingredients. Combine warm water, white vinegar, and rubbing alcohol and put it into a spray bottle for an easy and safe cleaning solution. 

Be Gentle When Closing Your Car's Doors

You ever have those days when your car wasn't annoying you but it looked at you funny so you slammed the doors aggressively? Okay, maybe that's a little too accurate a scenario. But, the point is that slamming your car doors is very bad for preserving the health of your Orlando auto glass. Eventually this habit could cause cracks and dings to form which means a replacement is in your future. See, anger costs a lot. 

Another pro tip! If you happen to drive a coupe or a car with frameless windows (you are one with the boujiness), don't close your doors using the windows. Push the doors to close them instead of the windows. Closing by way of the window will eventually damage the motor and they won't be able to roll up and down anymore.

Have a Method for Cleaning Your Orlando Auto Glass

Cleaning your car's windows seems pretty self explanatory, spray and wipe. But, having a methodology for cleaning things up can help you be thorough. Try rolling your windows down a few inches so you can clean the very top and then rolling them back up to clean the bottom. Also try cleaning your windshield after wiping down your dashboard, should you spray dash cleaner or get dust on the Orlando auto glass. 

Keep Sun Exposure to a Limit

You can't just lather your windows with sunscreen (it doesn't work and someone will probably call someone), so what do you do? The sun's harmful rays can damage your cars windows if left unchecked. The answer is to get a little practical with your sun avoidance game. Try parking in shadier spots when you can. Under trees, in the garage, in parking garages, and so on are great places to catch some shade and avoid causing damage to your ride's windows. A sunshade is an excellent way to keep those UVs out of your windshield and keep your cabin cool if you can't always find ample shade. We also recommend tinting your windows for good measure. This way you and your auto glass can stay protected while you're on the road. 

Need help keeping your auto glass in good shape? Toyota of Orlando is here to help! Visit us at 3575 Vineland Road today or chat with us online. 

A Quick Guide on DIY Car Battery Replacement

 Auto service always seems like such a daunting undertaking. For many people the thought of doing an oil change by yourself is terrifying (and messy). Luckily, many modern cars are designed with the average driver in mind and are easily maintenanced with simple DIY techniques. In fact, quite a few Orlando Toyota models are great examples of this. Knowing how to do simple auto service is never a bad skill to have, especially because it can save you quite a bit of money. 

One easy and less messy auto service job that you can do yourself is changing out a car battery. This is an ideal starting point for any person looking to get some learning in and we, at Toyota of Orlando, have some tips to get you started!

Replacing Your Car Battery is Easier than you Think

While some auto services require specific machines and skills to accomplish, replacing an Orlando car battery is one task that requires little specific skills and a bit of know how. Here are few tips to get you started:

• While replacing a car battery in your Orlando Toyota car is simple, plenty of things can still go wrong if you're not careful. One of your first steps is to purchase a battery. Most vehicles have several options when it comes to shopping for a battery so you need to make sure you get the correct one. You can find the information you need for shopping in your owners' manual, by searching online, or asking a qualified auto parts specialist. 
• Before you dive in, it's also recommended you assess the condition of your current battery. Some batteries can build up excessive amounts of corrosion throughout their time in an engine compartment. This can make removing the clamps and replacing the battery difficult. If this situation sounds like yours, you might need to add an extra cleaning step in your DIY journey. 
• You should also take stock of the supplies you'll need to get the job done. For a car battery replacement you'll need: a socket wrench, gloves, petroleum jelly, a new battery, a dry and clean workspace, and protective eyewear. If you need to clean up some corrosion, plan to also bring a baking soda and water solution along with an old toothbrush or wire brush. 

With that prep work out of the way, it's time to get down to it! Find a clean and dry workspace for your Orlando Toyota car and pop open the hood to get started. Here's what to do next:

• Your first step is to remove the clamps on the battery terminals using your socket wrench. This part is crucial and must be done in a specific order. **Remove the NEGATIVE (Black, -) cable BEFORE removing the POSITIVE (Red, +) one!** 
• Loosen the cables, remove them from the terminals, and set aside for later. 
• Remove the old Orlando car battery from its housing and set aside. 
• Put the new battery in the housing and apply petroleum jelly to the new battery's terminals. This might sound weird, but petroleum jelly actually acts as a great conductor and corrosion preventative for your new battery. 
• Now, begin to replace the clamps. Again, order is key here. **Start with the POSITIVE (Red, +) terminal first and then the NEGATIVE (Black, -). This is a reverse process of what you did before!**
• Tighten the clamps back onto the battery and close your car's hood. Then head to the driver's seat and start the car. If it starts up then you did it! 

Need some help on this DIY project? Visit Toyota of Orlando at 3575 Vineland Road today!

Breaking Down Your Car Brakes Service

Driving your car seems like a whole lot of go, but you can't forget that stopping is one of the most important parts. In fact, when you think about it, your brakes are your car's first and most essential form of safety feature. Without them you wouldn't be able to come to a stop and you'd likely find yourself in a mess of accidents. That's why it's absolutely important to have your car brakes serviced and inspected regularly. 

But, you might be asking, what exactly goes into a brake service? What am I getting out of it? At Toyota of Orlando we've sat down with our auto service techs to learn all we can about car brake services. Let's check out everything that's included!

The Essential Parts of the Essential Car Brake Service

Brake Pad and Rotor Inspection

A key component to any Orlando car brake service is a visual inspection of your car's rotors and pads. These two parts are the main contributors to you coming to a complete stop while on the road. Your brake pads rub against the rotor to create friction which slows your car down. A visual inspection of both parts can help an auto service technician diagnose any further repairs that need be done and/or how long you have left with your current set. 

Flush Brake Fluid

While the pads and calipers definitely have a big hand in bringing your ride to a stop, they don't do everything. Your brake line and fluid are your primary way to communicate with the master cylinder and other key components to apply the correct pressure when stopping. Orlando car brake fluid can be tricky, though. It actively attracts moisture and needs to be flushed every so often to prevent the brake system from being compromised. 

Bleeding the Brake Line

Flushing the brake fluid is a great way to ensure efficient stopping. But, you should take this process a step further when servicing your car brakes. Bleeding the brake line helps to remove any built up air that could impact your stopping power. It's recommended you have an Orlando auto service tech do this every 2-3 years. 

Replace and/or Upgrade

If it's been some time since you last replaced your car brakes' pads and rotors, it might be about time. After a large amount of mileage this is the best course of action as resurfacing the rotor or pads won't be enough to guarantee effective stopping. You might want to consider upgraded some of your replacement parts as well. There are several types of rotors and pads that can make your braking experience easier and less messy. 

Need car brake service today? Schedule an auto service appointment with Toyota of Orlando online or swing by the dealership at 3575 Vineland Road! 

Excessive Heat is Ruining Your Toyota Hybrid Battery

 It's summer time again here in Orlando and the excessive heat followed by afternoon showers is definitely in full swing. For many of us, this is the normal cycle for this time of year and we hardly give it a second thought. But, if you drive a Toyota hybrid, like the famous Prius, RAV4 Prime, and so on, you might have a few things to worry about. Did you know that an excessive amount of heat can actually prove to be problematic for your vehicle's battery system?

Yes, excessive heat can actually cause a plethora of issues for your Toyota vehicle when it comes to performance and fuel efficiency. Here at Toyota of Orlando we're here to break down how these Toyota hybrid problems happen and what you can do to fix it. Let's dive in!

Too Much Heat = Bad News for Your Toyota Hybrid

For many of us Orlando Toyota drivers, our cars are powered using internal combustion (ICE). This means that fuel is combusted to generate heat (energy) and then converted into motion. With that simple explanation out of the way, you might be thinking that heat is naturally needed for power generation and isn't really a bad thing. While you're not entirely wrong, you're not entirely right either. Too much heat generation, like with all things in excess, can actually be quite a bad thing. Especially if you drive a Toyota hybrid car. 

During the summer months here in Orlando you might notice a drop in the usually impeccable fuel efficiency you enjoy from your Toyota hybrid. Here's a brief explainer on why that happens:

• Car batteries, especially large ones found in hybrid vehicles, function best when exposed to moderate temperatures. Extremes, be it cold or hot, can throw their functionality out of wack. For extreme colds it means loss of charge and longer charge times. For extreme heat that means electrolyte evaporation. If you see a car battery bulging, bubbling, or having difficulty holding a charge, this is why. 
• Because Toyota hybrids are powered by a larger battery assembly compared to ICE engines. If this battery system suffers from excessive heat then you'll likely see your hybrid getting the fuel economy of an only ICE engine vehicle. Electrolytes are the lifeblood of batteries and when they evaporate they make for overworked batteries and broken hybrid systems. 

How to Help Bring Your Battery Back to Life

Luckily, rescuing your Toyota hybrid from the oppressive summer heat isn't an all-too difficult task. In fact, for many Orlando drivers, it only requires a few adjustments. Here are some tips to help get your fuel efficiency back up to speed: 

• Toyota hybrids are designed with large battery packs that make for vastly improved fuel efficiency over their ICE counterparts. If you're wondering why you've never felt an intrusion from the large battery pack, it's because hybrid models are designed with the battery pack placed underneath the back seats. To keep the batteries from suffering from excessive heat, simply keep your cabin cooler during the hotter parts of the day. This means keeping your A/C system working and on most of the day. 
• Tinting your windows is about more than just upping the aesthetic appeal of your ride. This technology can more practically keep your cabin cool and your battery functioning. 
• While this is only recommended for extreme or very necessary cases, it's a great way to get the job done. Some Orlando Toyota hybrid Prius drivers have devised a way to pipe cold air from an A/C vent to the battery's inlet. This supplies it with a direct and consistent source of cold air and can dramatically boost your fuel efficiency. 

Still need tips for getting your Toyota hybrid fuel efficiency back up to par? Visit Toyota of Orlando at 3575 Vineland Road today!