How to defog your windshield: Toyota of Orlando tips

 The weather in Central Florida this time of year is absolutely bananas. One day it's hot, one day it's cold, it's humid, it's dry, it's raining... all of it can wreak havoc on visibility during your drive time. However, one of the most annoying issues to deal with when behind the wheel is a foggy windshield - and we're here to help. Check out these tips from our Orlando Toyota auto service specialists on how to quickly and efficiently defog your windshield. 

Let's talk about why your windshield fogs up in the first place. Basically, your car usually has some sort of moisture inside of it, even if it's just from you and your passengers exhaling. And when it's cold outside, that moisture hits the cool air next to the windows and turns to condensation on the glass. Conversely, this can also happen when the humid summer air outside of the car turns to condensation on the glass as you turn your A/C on to cool the inside of the car. 

So how can you defog your windshield? We're breaking it down by outside temperature. 

If it's cold outside... 

Remember that in this scenario, the condensation or fog is on the inside of the glass. 

• First, turn on your heat - this will work the fastest if you use the defrost option to get your windshield clear, but running the heat will help clear the rest of your windows. Make sure your recirculation feature is OFF so you're not constantly recirculating the moist air. 

• Next, turn on your A/C for a minute to help pull moisture from the air as the air passes over the cooling coils. This in combination with the recirculation feature being turned off should help pump cool, dry air into your car to get rid of foggy glass. 

• You can also crack your windows to expedite the process and let cool, dry air into your car. 

If it's warm outside...

In this scenario, the condensation is on the outside of the glass. 

• First, turn on your windshield wipers to defog the exterior of the glass until you can balance the temperature to prevent fog from forming again. 

• Next, turn your A/C to the warmest  - yup, you heard us, warmest - setting without turning the heat on. You can also turn the A/C off for a few minutes. This will help to regulate the temperature inside of the car so the hot air outside isn't interacting with the cold air inside. Also, make sure that your recirculation feature is off. 

• Finally, in this scenario, you can use your rear windshield wiper as well as roll the windows down and up to try and get rid of condensation until things stabilize. 

There are also steps you can take to help prevent a fogged windshield; here are some more expert tips from Toyota of Orlando. 

• Use an ammonia-based glass cleaner. This will help prevent buildup and grime on the interior of your car's glass, both of which can lead to more condensation and fog. 
• Put a layer of shaving cream on the inside of your windshield. Sounds weird, but it works - when you wipe it off, it leaves a protective film to help prevent fogging. 
• Wipe your shoes before you get in to remove dew, snow, ice, or rainwater. The more moisture inside the car, the harder you're going to have to work to defog the windshield. 

And if you seem to have a severe issue, why not have Toyota of Orlando's experts inspect your A/C and heating system? There may be an issue with it that's making it harder than it should be to defog your windshield. 

Want more tips to defog your windshield or need an inspection? Call Toyota of Orlando today. We're open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001! 

Deciding Which Car To Bring On A Road Trip

Spring break is right around the corner as the pollution counts arise, the weather inches warmer, and we can finally go back to tanning by the pool. It's a perfect opportunity for your family and friends to hop into your Orlando Toyota for a long-awaited road trip to the sandy beaches. The only question pondering through your heads is, which car should you all bring along for a road trip. It can be hard to decide who is the designated driver. So, we'll go over a list of questions to determine who gets to take their sporty car this year. 

Answer These Questions To Figure Out Your Road Trip Car!

#1 How many people are going? 

You have to make sure that you will fit everyone and all their luggage too. This means starting with a headcount of how many people will be in the car. If it's four or less, a sedan like the Camry is your pick, but more than four suggest going with an SUV like the Highlander. If you are hauling a lot and need a lot of space (but don't have more than five people), go with a truck like the Tundra to use its truck bed. 

#2 What is the weather forecast? 

Think about where you're going on vacation... Is it a snowy destination with slippery roads, a sandy beach, a hilly mountain terrain, or desert with very little gas stations around? Wherever it is, pick the best car for the weather circumstances. 

#3 Who is willing to drive?

Figure out who is willing to hold onto the steering wheel for hours or at least let other people take the reins and drive their car. Also, if someone really doesn't want to drive on the road trip, it's best to not pressure them into it!

#4 Which car is the most fuel-efficient? 

If you're going on a road trip, you're going to be spending money on gas (at least you get to avoid expensive flight fees). However, not all cars' fuel is made equally. Figure out your car's MPG (miles per gallon) and compare it to the other vehicle's MPGs. The bigger the vehicle, the more money you might need to spend on gas. So, expect that. 

#5 Have you gotten your routine service recently? 

It is essential to ensure that your Orlando Toyota has gotten its proper road trip car maintenance. The last thing you need is a flat tire or car mishap when you are hours away from home. So, make sure to check your tires, car fluids, lights, brakes, wipers, air conditioning, and battery.

Suppose you find that you can't check off one of these; no need to worry! You can easily take your Orlando Toyota into our car service center to make sure you're ready for your road trip! 

Want to schedule a routine car service? Visit Toyota of Orlando!

We would love to help you get ready for your road trip and ensure your Orlando Toyota is prepared to go in a speedy amount of time. So, don't wait hours for your car. Instead, enjoy the convenience of our cafe, shuttle service, and expert technicians by scheduling an appointment with us.

Call us at (407)298-0001 to schedule an appointment. We're located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. 

Your Motor Oil Color And What It Means?

 It’s not a secret that maintenancing your Orlando Toyota’s motor oil is one of the most common auto services you’ll schedule for your car. So it’s safe to say you don’t want to skip out on getting an oil change, as it’s one of the most common auto services for a reason – it’s essential. Your car’s oil does most of the heavy lifting when it comes to moving the metal pieces inside of your Orlando Toyota’s engine. By lubricating all of the moving components, it acts similarly to your body’s blood system in that your body’s blood carries necessary nutrients throughout the body. 

So, with that being said, in the scenario where your engine light turns on and alerts you it’s time to schedule an oil change, you might ask yourself, is it really though?

Keep reading, to find out how you can check to see if it really is time to schedule an oil change by just looking at the color of your motor oil!

Let's get into it!

Check your motor oil color.

First things first, go ahead and check the color of the motor oil in your car by turning off your engine, popping open the hood, and finding the dipstick. Once you find the dipstick, pull it out from the engine. Once you've done that, it’s time to investigate the color. 

What color it is? And what it means for your Toyota.

Tan to Caramel: 

You’re in the clear. This means your Orlando Toyotas motor oil is healthy! Also, fun fact this is the color it is when it’s put into your car. This indicates that your vehicle is in great shape with clean oil that's free of debris. If you want to be even safer, go ahead and make sure the oil level falls in between two tick marks on the dipstick and you’re all set. 

Dark Brown to Black. 

It looks like you got a case of the dirt mites! If your car’s oil is dark brown or black, it is usually due to exposure to, too much heat, or it’s just dirty. This is indicated your motor oil did its job, and it’s time for an oil change! If you don’t end up servicing your car when it’s in this condition, it can lead to a big bill due to engine damage. So, don’t sleep on your oil change and protect your Orlando Toyota. 

Milky-colored to Cream:

I know what you’re thinking... “What is going on with my car?” well, believe it or not, if you’re looking at a creamy or milky-looking motor oil, it’s not because you spilled your latte in your car. However, it can indicate that there’s a moisture issue (most likely due to a head gasket leak). Something else that might happen is this could lead to white smoking coming out of the exhaust, or you’re losing more coolant than usual. 

This means you should get a routine car service to ensure you don’t blow the head gasket and accumulate high repair expenses.

Milky-colored with a frothy texture. 

This is not a latte order; this is the motor oil we are talking about! Motor oil should not look like your latte order, so if you find there’s a frothy texture, it means you have moisture in your motor oil. However, if you don’t notice any signs of a head gasket leak with symptoms of white smoke coming from your car or losing coolant more than usual, then it’s the good ole water contaminating your oil. 

Ok, so after all of this motor talk…

Schedule a fast and efficient oil change at Toyota of Orlando! 

We would love to help you ensure your motor oil gets back to its healthy state. But, trust us holding off on this servicing is not worth the expensive repairs. So, if you end up wanting to schedule an oil change with us, give us a call at (407)298-0001. We’re open seven days a week, located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. 

Should you worry about an oil leak?

 Have you ever taken a good look at your driveway and noticed that where you usually park, there are oil stains on the pavement? Motor oil leaks happen, but sometimes drivers ignore the stains and figure a small leak is no big deal. However, even a small motor oil leak can do big-time damage to your car engine. Toyota of Orlando is here to explain! 

What causes a motor oil leak? 

Basically, if you have an oil leak in your car, it's because something isn't functioning properly. The main causes of motor oil leaks include: 

• Degraded engine gaskets 
• Worn out seals 
• A loose oil pan drain plug 
• Worn valve cover gaskets 
• A leaky oil pan 

Needless to say, if left unattended, a small motor oil leak can quickly develop into a much larger one. And that can mean major issues in quite a few areas, including: 

• Damage to your engine. A motor oil leak can damage your Orlando Toyota's engine as well as your radiator AND HVAC system. Oil can start to accumulate in areas and wear out seals and hoses faster. Additionally, they can cause your engine to seize and fail while you're driving, which is dangerous for both you and your passengers. Finally, oil is flammable, which means you're at a higher risk for fire. 
• Environmental damage. Additionally, motor oil leaks are bad for the environment. Oil is full of chemicals so when it leaks onto your driveway, it can be washed away by rainwater or irrigation and find its way into runoff and waterways, which is bad for nature in general. 

So how do you know if you have a motor oil leak? Here are some common signs you need Orlando Toyota service for this issue: 

• Puddles of oil under your car when it's parked 
• Low oil levels - when you pull your dipstick out to check the oil, the level is too low when it shouldn't be 
• Blue smoke coming from under the hood or exhaust 
• A strong burning smell when the engine is running 

Take care of any and all auto service issues at Toyota of Orlando

If you notice any of the above signs, it's time to visit Toyota of Orlando for auto service! We're open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001 and we're conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road. 

Let's Take A Look At The Tundra Hybrids vs Prius Hybrids

Hybrid cars have created quite the buzz for their fuel-efficient and eco-friendly benefits. They're hard not to like when they are both good for the environment and your pockets. Hey, if it means not having to stop at the gas station, that is a big plus too. However, they aren't very known for their performance, such as their horsepower or torque, unlike the Orlando Toyota Tacoma or Orlando Toyota Tundra.

One of the most known hybrids in the Toyota lineup is the Orlando Toyota Prius that's been around since 2003. But recently, there's been a release of the all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra hybrid. Well, this is super exciting! So, this means excellent performance and excellent fuel efficiency for Toyota Truck lovers. Our experts, here at Toyota of Orlando are going to compare the two hybrid cars. 

Let's get into it!

How are these two hybrid cars different from one another? 

You may be asking yourself what the difference is between an Orlando Toyota Prius hybrid and an Orlando Toyota Tundra Hybrid truck. Good news, there are quite a few actually!

The Toyota Prius Hybrid

The Toyota Prius hybrid system hits it out of the ballpark regarding fuel efficiency. However, the horsepower, not so much. The Toyota Prius Hybrid model gets 58/53 mpg and 121 horsepower. 

Let's look at its features: 

• It has a dual-motor system. The first motor takes power from the engine and converts it over to the battery. 

• You get electrical power, which means it can run without the engine.

• The second motor connects directly to the car's wheels and powers them from there. 

• The engine doesn't send torque to the wheels all the time.

• The path can also be electrical.

• It's super fuel-efficient but not best for performance if you value horsepower or torque.  

The Toyota Tundra Hybrid 

The Toyota Tundra is the biggest Toyota truck in our lineup. So, when you mix that with a hybrid engine, you get a powerhouse. The 2022 Toyota Tundra hybrid system, on the other hand, gets improved fuel efficiency over the prior V8 model and 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. 

Here's how they do it:

• This Orlando Toyota Tundra has a single motor hybrid system with a mechanical path for sending power. 

• Clutch in between the motor and the engine.

• The engine can turn off, and the electric motor takes over to send power to the wheels. 

• When the clutch is closed, the signals sent to the engine need the internal combustion power and the twin-turbos takeover to send the power to the wheels. 

• This hybrid gets incredible horsepower and torque. 

Are you looking to hear the quiet sound of a hybrid engine? We have plenty of hybrids to test drive at Toyota of Orlando. 

Schedule a test drive today by calling us today at (407)298-4500. We would love to have you; we're located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. Come in today! We're open seven days a week for your convenience. 

Why Is My Gas Gauge Reading Incorrectly?

After watching movies and seeing the iconic running out of gas, stepping out of their car, and walking to push their vehicle to the nearest gas station scenes, most drivers might find themselves eyeing the gas gauge in preparation to avoid this exact scenario. So, of course, If you are asking yourself, "why is my gas gauge reading empty when I just paid for a full tank of gas?". This can be super confusing, but we promise that your gas gauge is, in fact, not reading correctly.

Our gas gauges are super helpful as they let us know when we need to refuel our Orlando Toyotas, so we don't have to calculate the estimation on our own. Here at Toyota of Orlando, we want to help you make your life as convenient as possible. So today we'll discuss why your gas gauge isn't reading correctly and what to do about it. 

How Your Gas Gauge Functions

Your Orlando Toyota is able to receive a gas gauge based on your Car's fuel sending unit measures of the gas in the tank to the fuel gauge in your Car's dashboard. The fuel sending unit comprises a float, a metal rod or arm, and a variable resistor. The float floats on top of the fuel in the tank and connects to the variable resistor by the metal rod. The variable resistor connects to the gas gauge to communicate how much fuel is in the tank. 

There you have it; that's how your gas gauge knows how much gas you have in your tank. So, if your gas gauge isn't reading correctly, it's most likely due to a faulty fuel sending unit. 

Three main issues with gas gauges 

Issue #1 The gas gauge is stuck on full. 

Your gas gauge is reading that your Orlando Toyota gas tank is full, yet you filled it up a week ago and have been driving around quite a bit. Well, be careful because this indicates that your gas gauge isn't reading correctly. It's most likely due to having an issue with your variable resistor. This is something that you should take in to have our expert techs look at more intensely. It could be faulty wiring, an open circuit issue in the resistor, or just a bad gauge.

Issue #2 The gauge is on empty

You might be scratching your forehead, confused when you read empty on your Orlando Toyota's gas gauge, especially since you just refueled yesterday. But, no, your Car's fuel efficiency can't be that bad. Instead, there could be a few issues – either the float has separated from the metal arm and isn't sending any information about fuel level, the variable resistor is faulty and malfunctioning, or the wires in the system have corroded and are no longer sending information.

Issue #3 Gauge swings back and forth between full and empty with no rhyme or reason. 

It seems like your gas gauge has a mind of its own when it swings back and forth between full and empty. These irregular readings are confusing and are usually the result of the float "sticking" in place and then being pushed back into motion by the movement of your Orlando Toyota – or it's just a faulty gauge itself. 

Issues with your Gas Gauge? Take your Car into our service center! 

Our expert techs will have your gas gauge fixed in no time! Call us to schedule an appointment at (407)298-0001 or schedule an appointment online! We're conveniently located just off i-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road.