Facts: The Latest School Year Deserves the Latest Toyota Technology

Whether it's a new school year for you, or a new school year for your child - you’re going to want to learn all about the latest Toyota technology equipped to make your year one to remember. There are many different features that make your new Orlando Toyota top-notch, but have you ever considered how these features can benefit your new school year? Let our Orlando Toyota experts explain.

The Top Five Toyota Technology Features You Need for Back to School

1. Dynamic Navigation - Running late? No problem, the new Orlando Toyota Dynamic Navigation has your back. This Orlando Toyota Technology will allow you to see the latest and up-to-the-minute maps in your area. This is great for helping your plan the fastest and safest route to take when headed to school. You’re also able to divert to points of interest, so when you save just enough time to grab a cup of joe, you’ll know where to go!

2. Driver Easy Speak - Are we the only ones that have to yell at our kids to get their backpacks on and be ready to go in the carpool? If you find yourself in a similar situation, you’re going to love this Orlando Toyota technology. You’ll be able to easily amplify your voice over even the loudest of commotion thanks to the Orlando Toyota Driver Easy Speak.

3. Blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert - We already know that traffic is more inconsistent when people are starting to get into their back to school traffic routine,  but that doesn’t need to affect your safety. This Toyota technology in your new Orlando car will help you navigate through stressful situations. This Toyota technology includes the Blind Spot Monitor feature which allows you to keep peace of mind in heavy traffic by alerting you with a chime back to school traffic routine when there may be a vehicle in your immediate merging area. On top of that Toyota technology, your Orlando car will also alert you to rear cross-traffic. This means that you’ll be able to safely back out of parking spots in the school parking lot, where it may not have been so easy to see children walking in the lot.

4. Toyota Safety Sense - Back to school means back to a car full of precious cargo. Our Orlando Toyota cars are equipped with the latest back-to-school Toyota technology to make sure that your precious cargo makes it to school as safe as possible. 

5. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto - One way the new Orlando Toyota technology helps integrate safety into your back-to-school routine is with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This new Toyoa technology features help pave the way for easy and distraction-free listening. A truly perfect way to avoid distracted driving. Our Orlando Toyota team suggests creating a back-to-school playlist so you won’t need to worry about the perfect tune list and your passengers will get hyped to start out their school day!

See for Yourself the Newest Toyota Technology to Help you Through Back to School Season

Get to know all of the new Toyota technology features up close and personal – visit Toyota of Orlando. We’re conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road, and we’re open seven days a week until 10 pm. Call us today at (407) 298-4500, and have the best back-to-school ever!

Find out how to defog your windshield with this quick guide

 Living in Central Florida, we're bound to encounter all types of weather and a span of temperatures (ok, so it's hot like 70% of the time). This means you're also likely to encounter a foggy windshield on some mornings, especially when the humidity is high or the temperatures are low. Toyota of Orlando is here to explain how to defog your windshield quickly and efficiently no matter what the weather is. 

Why does your Orlando Toyota's windshield get foggy in the first place? 

Before we discuss how to defog a windshield, we have to discuss why windshields and windows get foggy in the first place. It all comes down to the dew point - this is the temperature at which humid air turns into fog. Here are the two scenarios in which the dew point causes foggy glass in your car. 

In cold weather, the moisture inside of your car touches the cold glass (which is cold because of the air outside) and reaches the dew point there, causing fog on the inside of the glass. Humid air in your car can come from your breath, as well as moisture trapped in the cabin from wet shoes, etc. You'll also see this occur when you're driving in the rain. 

In hot, humid weather, the moisture outside of your car in the surrounding air touches the cool glass (which is cool usually because you're running your air-conditioning inside your Orlando Toyota). It reaches the dew point there, causing fog on the outside of the glass. 

How to defog your windshield in both cold and hot weather

Now you know how and why fog forms on the glass of your Orlando Toyota; let's talk about how to defog your windshield quickly and efficiently so you can get out on the open road. Here are the two methods to use. 

• When it's cold outside, the fog is on the inside of your glass. Defogging it is going to be a multi-step process as follows: 
• Turn on your defroster to temporarily clear the glass. This isn't a permanent solution, though - it'll work for a minute but if you turn the defroster off, the glass will fog right back up. 
• To defog your windshield, you need to get rid of moisture in the air. Turn on your air-conditioning for a few minutes - the cold air will help suck moisture out of the cabin.
• You should also make sure your recirculating feature is turned off so you're not recycling the same humid air through the cabin - you want your car's A/C to suck in fresh, cold air. 
• Open your windows to let more cold air in and humid air out. 

• When it's hot outside, the process is much simpler. The fog is on the outside of the glass so to defog your windshield, all you have to do is turn on your windshield wipers and roll down your windows to remove the fog. You might also turn your A/C down a little bit to prevent more fog from forming. 

And believe it or not, there are things you can do so instances in which you have to defog a windshield aren't as common. Here are some tips from the techs at Toyota of Orlando: 

• Keep your car clean - moisture sticks to dirt, which means more fog. 
• Try not to bring wet things inside the cabin of your Orlando Toyota when it's cold out. Wipe off your shoes and throw wet umbrellas, etc. in the trunk. 
• Use a defogging solution on your car's windshield - our Toyota of Orlando parts store can help you find the right one for your car's interior and exterior glass. 
• Try shaving cream. Some drivers say that wiping shaving cream on the inside of the windshield and then wiping it off can prevent fog from forming. 
• Make sure you keep up with routine car care for your air-conditioner, heater, and defroster.

 Have questions or need to shop for products to defog your windshield? Call Toyota of Orlando today - we're open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001 and conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. 

  

How to beat EV range anxiety

Whether you own an electric car now or are thinking about purchasing one in the future, we're sure you've had your moments of EV range anxiety. This phenomenon is when the driver of an electric vehicle experiences anxiety about running out of charge or range on their EV before they can reach a charging station. Toyota of Orlando is here to help - check out our quick tips for dealing with EV range anxiety like a pro. 

What is EV range anxiety? Toyota of Orlando explains. 

Let's look a little deeper into EV range anxiety to get started. Electric cars run on charge alone - they're not like hybrids or plug-in hybrids that have that gasoline backup. And since electric cars are relatively new to a lot of people, it's understandable that there might be uncertainty when it comes to how far one can go and the chances of it running out of charge, especially since charging stations aren't near as numerous as gas stations. Luckily, there are ways to combat EV range anxiety; check out these tips from Toyota of Orlando's experts. 

Six tips for beating EV range anxiety 

Tip #1: Know your car. Before you give in to EV range anxiety, get to know your new Orlando Toyota! Keep the range in mind - for example, the 2023 Toyota bz4X gets around 252 miles out of one charge. Know where on the instrument panel to check the charge level and how low you can let it get before you need to stop and charge up again. Read your owner's manual and ask questions at Toyota of Orlando! 

Tip #2: Consider the facts. Electric cars used to have much shorter ranges so really, EV range anxiety was warranted. However, as these unique cars evolve and advance, the range has gotten much longer. Like we said, the new Toyota bz4X can go an estimated 252 miles before having to recharge! 

Tip #3: Be able to locate nearby charging stations. Know how to locate charging stations near you so that when you're due to charge, you can make it happen. You can download apps like Chargepoint and EVGo, as well as ChargeMap, PlugShare, and NextCharge. All of these apps can help you locate the closest charging points. 

Tip #4: Stay on top of routine car maintenance. Stick to your routine EV maintenance schedule at Toyota of Orlando. Our techs will conduct free multi-point inspections whenever you visit, which includes your battery. They can spot any new or developing issues that may affect your EV's battery and fix them right away. 

Tip #5: Think about installing a home charger. If EV range anxiety is keeping you awake at night, consider installing a home charger. You'll need a qualified electrician to do it, but you'll also be able to charge your car every night while you sleep and every morning, wake up to the maximum amount of range possible. 

Tip #6: Invest in another option. If you really can't stomach the EV range anxiety you feel about driving an electric car, think about other options. Plug-in hybrids are a great compromise; they offer the electric car driving experience but also have a hybrid system as a safety net that relies on gasoline. If you're heading out on a road trip and know long-distance travel is in your future, consider renting a hybrid or gasoline-powered car to get you where you're going. 

Have questions or need help alleviating EV range anxiety? Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. You can call us today at (407) 298-4500! 

How to take care of leather car seats

 Thinking about putting a new Toyota with leather car seats in the driveway? Leather seats are pretty much the epitome of luxury and lend a plush, comfortable vibe to the interior of your car. However, they also require a fair amount of car care to keep them in like-new condition. This is especially true here in Orlando, where we see extreme heat and strong sun every single summer. Toyota of Orlando's car detailing experts are here to explain how to care for leather car seats and keep them in the best shape possible. 

Three steps to cleaning leather car seats 

#1: Vacuum your car out before you do anything else. It's important to thoroughly vacuum out your Orlando Toyota BEFORE you start cleaning and conditioning the leather. Sand, dirt, and debris on the seats can actually damage the leather while you clean, as they're particularly abrasive and can cause small tears and scratches on the leather. 

#2: Don't use anything but leather cleaner to get the job done. After you're done thoroughly vacuuming out the interior, it's time to get cleaning. However, you should make sure that you're only using a cleaner that's specially formulated for leather car seats. Other cleaners can stain and damage the leather, leaving you with irreparable issues. Toyota of Orlando's parts store can help you find the right one for your interior. Here are a few things to keep in mind: 

• Try to avoid any cleaners that have bleach or ammonia in them, both of which can damage your leather car seats. 
• You can make your own leather car seats cleaner if you want to go the natural route. Mix five parts warm water with one part Castile soap (a vegetable-based soap) and put it in a spray bottle. 
• Never apply leather cleaner directly to the car seats. You should spray it on a soft microfiber cloth until the cloth is damp (not soaking wet) to apply it. 
• Gently scrub your leather seats with the damp microfiber cloth; you might have to use a little bit of elbow grease for tough stains or grime. Don't let the seat get too wet; wet leather takes forever to dry and can actually become moldy quicker than you think. 
• Be sure to let the seats dry completely before moving on to leather conditioning. 

#3: Use a leather conditioner at the end of your detailing. This is important to keep your leather car seats supple and moisturized; in the long run, it'll prevent cracking, tearing, and fading. This step is critical if you live in Orlando and deal with the heat and the sun every day. Additionally, leather conditioner actually acts similarly to car wax, forming a top coat of sorts that will help ward off stains and grime. You should condition your car once a month, especially in the summer, to keep it protected and like-new. 

Use a microfiber cloth to apply the leather conditioner and just like the cleaner, don't apply too much. You don't want the seats to get soaked. Be sure to let the leather conditioner sink in and dry for 4-6 hours before sitting in the car again. 

Here are some other Orlando Toyota tips to keep in mind when you're dealing with leather car seats: 

• Work in small sections when you clean and condition the leather.
• Do a spot check when you buy a new cleaner or conditioner. Test the liquid in a small, out-of-the-way area to ensure it doesn't stain or damage the leather. 
• Never clean or condition leather seats with anything but a clean, soft microfiber cloth. 
• Cleaning solutions and conditioners that are non-toxic and/or natural are the least likely to damage your leather car seats.
• Never let stains sit on leather; clean them immediately so they can't set in and cause worse damage. 
• Protect your car from the sun. A windshield shade is absolutely recommended, and it also helps to tint your car's windows to ward off damaging UV rays. 

Shop for leather cleaning products at Toyota of Orlando 

Have questions or need to shop leather car seat detailing products? Call Toyota of Orlando today. We're open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500 and we're just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. 

What you need to know about blind spots: Orlando Toyota tips

 Blind spots. Every car has them, which means every car has the potential to get into a car accident because of them. However, Toyota of Orlando is here to help (as always). We've got a quick guide to blind spots to help you identify, prevent, and work with these road safety hazards no matter what type of car you drive. See what our driving experts have to say about it! 

What are blind spots in your Orlando Toyota? 

First, let's talk about what blind spots are. Basically, they're just what they sound like - spots around your car in which you're blind (aka you can't see them, so you don't know what's in those spots). Here's the bad news: every single car has blind spots regardless of the make, model, or body style. They typically occur because of elements like pillars in the car's design, your rearview mirror, seat headrests, and overpacked cargo areas. Some vehicles are worse than others, but there's really no escaping blind spots, which means it's doubly important to know how to spot, check, and avoid them. 

Why? Because they cause car accidents. If you don't check your blind spot before moving your vehicle or changing lanes and there's something in it, you're likely to collide with that car, object, or person. One of the most common car accidents we see at Toyota of Orlando because of blind spots is when a person goes to change lanes while in motion and another car is in their blind spot - they don't check, and when they change lanes they collide with the other car. See what we mean? 

How to check blind spots safely 

So how do you check your blind spots? Basically, just look to see if there's anything in them. You will have to use your blind spot mirrors or monitors and likely physically turn to check them, but you should try to do it as quickly and safely as possible. Don't take your hands off the steering wheel, and don't turn for too long - you want to get your eyes back on the road as fast as you can. 

Luckily, there are also ways to minimize blind spots in your car. Here are some Orlando Toyota tips: 

• Never stack cargo to the ceiling of your vehicle. You should be able to see clearly out the back window using your rearview mirror. 
• Adjust your mirrors. Your rearview mirror should give you a view straight out the back of your car, while the side mirrors should be straight back and tilted inward slightly (so you can see the side of the car). And don't forget, if you move your seat at all, you'll need to readjust your mirrors accordingly. 
• Look into tech like blind spot monitors. This Toyota safety feature alerts you to objects in your car's blind spots with flashing lights and a beeping noise so you know it's not safe to change lanes or turn in that direction. 
• Buy blind spot mirrors. You can actually pick these up at the Toyota of Orlando parts store. They're small mirrors that you affix to your existing side mirrors; they give you a wider view so you can see your blind spots without having to turn your body. 

Need help finding the right features to beat blind spots or have more questions? Call Toyota of Orlando today - 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. 

Will your electric car use oil?

 If you're considering taking the plunge and becoming the owner of a new electric car (maybe the upcoming Orlando Toyota bz4x?) then it helps to at least know the basics of how an electric car works before you schedule your test drive. We can give you all of the information you need when you arrive at Toyota of Orlando, but we're also here with our auto service specialists to give you the rundown on one of the most common questions we get about these types of vehicles - do electric cars use oil? 

Do electric cars use oil under the hood? 

Long story short, nope. Electric cars do not use oil so you will never need to schedule an oil change if you decide to put this type of Orlando Toyota in your garage. Electric cars are powered by a battery and an electric motor; they don't have a conventional internal combustion engine under the hood and subsequently, don't need a lot of the fluids you see in that type of engine. 

Traditional internal combustion engines use oil to keep the engine itself cool and lubricated as it works hard to get and keep the car up and running; electric vehicles don't have any type of internal combustion going on under the hood and this lack of traditional engine means they simply do not need oil or oil changes. 

However, before you jump for joy, take a minute to consider what type of vehicle you actually have. TRUE electric cars that don't have a combustion engine will never need oil changes. Hybrid cars, on the other hand, do have an electric motor under the hood, but they also have a combustion engine to swap off and power the car. This means that hybrids and plug-in hybrids - although they are a type of electric car - do need oil changes just like a traditional gas-powered car. 

So if you don't need to schedule oil changes for your electric car, what routine car maintenance appointments will you need to make at Toyota of Orlando? Here's what our auto service specialists recommend: 

• Battery maintenance, inspections, and when necessary (which isn't often), replacements 
• Brake service to replace brake pads and do routine inspections 
• Tire rotations, wheel balancing and alignments, and tire replacements when needed 
• Transmission fluid (your electric car may or may not need this fluid - ask your Orlando auto service tech or check your owner's manual)
• Software checks to ensure your car is up to date. Most software updates happen over the air, but it's worth it to have our techs take a look to ensure your car has everything it should while you're at the dealership anyway for other routine maintenance. 

So yes, you will have to schedule some car maintenance appointments for your electric car at Toyota of Orlando. They're not zero-maintenance (what vehicle is?) but the lack of an internal combustion engine will definitely save you money in terms of car care costs. Plus, you'll be saving on fuel and that can make a huge difference in ownership costs, especially if you have a long commute. 

Schedule car maintenance for your electric car at Toyota of Orlando

Whether you need car maintenance for your electric car or have questions about what types of car care it will need, Toyota of Orlando can help. Call us today at (407) 298-0001 or stop by and see us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.