Orlando Car Maintenance Tips – Headlights

The busy holiday season is here and you know what means, more driving. Whether you’re fighting I-4 traffic on your way to work, heading over to your in-law’s for an ugly sweater party, or trying to find parking at the mall, you need to make sure your car is in tip-top shape. That’s why Toyota of Orlando is here to give you some easy car maintenance tips to make your season bright and your headlights brighter. 

Car Maintenance Made Easy 

Your headlights are one of the most important safety features of your car. After all, there is a reason burnt out headlights are the number one reason people get pulled over. To put their importance into perspective, think of your car’s headlights as prescription glasses. If you cracked your only pair, would you wait months before you got them repaired? Of course not! Without them, you wouldn’t be able to see or much-less get anything done. This is the same with driving. If your car headlights are worn or burnt out you won’t be able to see when you’re driving at night and other drivers won’t see you, thus increasing your chance of getting in an accident. 

Over time, your headlights collect dirt and grime. Usually we don’t notice the build-up until it’s too late, but it’s very important you look out for this or you’ll have hazy headlights and bad driving visibility later down the road. The problem is when you neglect your headlights you allow minor repairs to turn into expensive replacements. That being said, periodic restoration and car maintenance will save you a pretty penny and guarantee better and longer performing headlights.

We picked the brains of our Orlando car service staff to give you a list of the best car maintenance tricks to take care of your headlights. Check out their advice:  

• Regular headlight check: If you notice your headlights yellowing or fogging, scrub them off with the proper cleaner. Minor traction when cleaning will ensure you get rid of yellowing, just make sure you don’t scratch them. 
• Headlight restoration: Stop by our Orlando auto service center to have any dirt and grime buffed out of your headlights. This will ensure you have ultimate driving visibility. 
• Headlight alignment check: Periodically check that your headlights are both pointing forward. If they’re not, your local mechanic can adjust them to ensure the road is lit up properly. 

Affordable Orlando Auto Service

There you have it! A little car maintenance can go a long way. When you devote some time to your car you extend the life of your car’s parts and avoid more costly repairs down the road.  If you ever notice your headlights are in need of some T.L.C, head on into Toyota of Orlando and we can get the job done! We are always running auto service specials to get you the car maintenance you need at a price you deserve! We’re open seven days a week and are located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. See you soon!

Safe driving with Toyota Safety Sense

Technology these days seems to advance every second, we’re constantly met with phone updates, automatic skateboards, flying cameras and whatever other crazy things people come up with, but the potentially life-saving advances seem to get put on the back burner. So today, Toyota of Orlando is going to highlight one of the most amazing advances in safe driving, the Toyota Safety Sense system (TSS).

Be the hero of Orlando’s highways  

There are two different Toyota Safety Sense bundles available, Toyota Safety Sense c and Toyota Safety Sense p. We’re going to break down the features that you can get with either package. You can find these innovative safety features in select 2016 and 2017 models. However, in the near future all Toyota models will come with these additions to give you peace of mind when your wheels hit Orlando’s busy highways. Let’s check out these TSS safe driving features:

1. Pre-Collision System (PCS): Through the use of an integrated camera, laser, or radar this system can detect when you’re approaching another vehicle. Your vehicle will alert you through audio and visual cues that you’re driving too close and at risk of a frontal car collision. What’s most impressive about the PCS is that if you don’t brake in time, the system can brake for you to avoid the potential collision or minimize its severity. 

2. Lane Departure Alert (LDA): If you’re on a road with clear lane distinction and driving over 32 mph this alert system is activated. LDA will notify you visually and audibly when you’re vehicle is beginning to stray into a neighboring lane. This way, when the distracted driver in you takes over your car will help you snap out of it. 

3. Automatic High Beams (AHB): Only activated at speeds of 25 mph and above, these beams operate on a camera inside your vehicle that detects other car’s headlights and taillights. When the beams detect oncoming cars they will adjust between the high and low settings to light your car appropriately. The main goal being to not only increase visibility but also alert drivers of pedestrians and other obstacles earlier on. 

4. Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC): Resist the urge to tailgate slower cars with this part of TSS. Similar to normal cruise control, the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control system allows your car to drive at a set speed based on the distance between you and the car ahead of you. DRCC determines a safe driving distance through an in-vehicle camera and grille-mounted radar. If this system senses a car too close it will automatically decrease your speed. If your car believes you need to slow down even more, it will apply the brakes and alert you through audio and visual cues. Once the close distance is corrected, DRCC will speed up and your standard cruise control will take back over. 

5. Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD): With the goal of increasing pedestrian safety and reducing your risk of collisions, this system utilizes an in-vehicle camera and radar to detect people, objects, and other cars in front of you. If PCS w/ PD alerts you of a likely frontal collision and you apply your brakes, the system can help you and apply additional brake force with the Brake Assist system. Furthermore, if you do not press your brakes at all, the system will brake for you to minimize any damage or avoid a collision. 

 Safe driving in your new Toyota 

As you can see, Toyota Safety Sense is the safe driving of the future. You can find this system in your favorite new Toyota models in Orlando such as the Toyota Yaris, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Sienna, Toyota Tundra, and more! Don’t miss your opportunity to have your dream set of wheels with the safety features of tomorrow. We’re open seven days a week at 3575 Vineland Road. Call us at (407) 298- 4500 and schedule your test drive today!

Aftermarket vs. Factory Car Parts- Does it really matter?

You’re having car troubles and the only solution is a new car part. You know what you need, but when faced with the decision of buying a factory or aftermarket part, will you know what to choose? If not, Toyota of Orlando is here to explain and make you an informed consumer. That way, if you’re faced with this decision you’ll know how to weigh your options and make the best selection, cost-wise and quality-wise. 

The pros & cons of factory and aftermarket car parts

First off, you need to know the difference between factory and aftermarket. Factory or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) car parts are just as they sound, parts manufactured by your car’s maker specifically for your model. While aftermarket parts are not created by your car’s maker.

There are several companies that manufacture car parts to function the same as brands’ originals. Their goal, be of the same quality or exceed the original’s quality. You’ll find most aftermarket parts at independent auto-body shops. The key to working with the aftermarket is to make sure you’re at a well-respected auto-shop and you’re getting high-quality parts. 

Now that you know the difference, let’s look at some of their pros and cons.

Factory Pros:

• Warranty: The majority of car maker’s place a one-year warranty on any parts they supply. When you go to the dealership to get OEM parts replaced they’ll usually waive the labor costs as well. 
• Easy process: Buying an OEM part is as simple as going to the dealership, getting the part you need and signing the check. There’s no need to compare qualities or worry about poor performance replacements.
• Guaranteed quality: When you buy an OEM replacement, the part is guaranteed to work just as the original did.

Factory Cons:

• More expensive: Due to convenience and specificity, factory parts often cost more than aftermarket ones. 
• Limited buying options: Your options for buying OEM parts are more limited than your options for aftermarket ones. There are other ways you can purchase original parts (eBay, online wholesales, or special ordering through a mechanic), but the majority of car owners buy at the dealership.

Aftermarket Pros:

•  Availability: Aftermarket parts are easier to find. You can purchase these parts in auto-stores, gas stations, or with local mechanics. 
• Less expensive: These car parts are usually cheaper than factory parts. The difference in cost will vary by the maker of your car. With this, our technicians recommend researching the needed part’s cost at multiple shops to ensure that you’re savings are not due to low quality design. 
• Options: With so many aftermarket companies, you have a greater selection of parts with a larger range of prices.
• Possible better quality: Since aftermarket parts are reverse-engineered, mechanics have the opportunity to improve problems original parts may have.  

Aftermarket Cons:  

• No Warranty: To maintain the low price, most aftermarket parts do not come with a warranty. 
• Too many options: With so many different aftermarket companies to choose from it can be hard to weed out the good from the bad. That’s why Toyota of Orlando suggests purchasing OEM parts or consulting a trusted mechanic for an aftermarket brand recommendation.

Toyota of Orlando’s suggestion

All in all, what you choose to go with, factory or aftermarket, boils down to what kind of car owner you are. If you’re auto-savvy and will do the proper research, aftermarket parts can be a great option for you. If you’re not a car wiz or don’t have the time to do the extra research, we recommend sticking with factory parts. 

Whatever your car needs may be, our Toyota Service Center in Orlando is here for you. We can answer your car maintenance questions, get you the service you need at, or get you a new set of wheels. We’re open seven days a week and are always running car service specials!