Upgrading Your Car Sound System Made Easy

 For many drivers, the best part about driving is having the perfect accompanying music to jam out to until you reach your destination. The perfect song can make or break your ride and you need to make sure you have the right system to make your sound as perfect as possible. 

If you're hoping for a little more from your current car audio system, there's a lot you can do! At Toyota of Orlando, we're here with some great tips to get you started on your upgrading process. 

Get Better Sound From Your Ride with These Tips

1) Choose What You Want to Upgrade

Your vehicle's audio system consists of much more than just a few speakers and a head unit. Even factory systems could include smaller enhancers and other devices that improve what you hear while you drive. But, for those looking to take their auditory experience to the next decibel you need to decide on what you want to upgrade after taking stock of what you have. Afterward you should establish a strict budget and stick to it. 

2) Replace the Head Unit/Infotainment System

The Entune Infotainment System available in Orlando Toyota models is one we're huge fans of (guilty), but a change if often necessary when making drastic changed to your car sound system. Changing the head unit will give you more customization opportunity and choice when it comes to your Orlando car audio system interface. 

3) Get New Speakers

While we recommend getting as much use out of your OEM equipment as possible, you might need to replace your speakers depending on your upgrading plans. If you overall car audio system exceeds the power limits on your Orlando Toyota car speakers, they'll need to be swapped out for equipment that can better handle the power boost. 

4) You're Gonna Need More Power

When adding almost anything to your Orlando Toyota car that involves wiring or electrical work, you're going to need to increase your power output. Keep your car battery in mind throughout your upgdrading process. To better power your car audio system, use an amplifier to designate audio channels and distribute power accordingly and help your system run more efficiently. Subwoofers can also give your sound a deeper bass feeling, but you'll need to take into account the amount of power it will need to operate. 

5) Use a Subwoofer and Designated Amp

If you like your ride to shake or want bassier reverbs from your music, adding a subwoofer will do the trick. However, you should consider adding a dedicated amplifier to power it. This will all decrease your Orlando Toyota car's storage space significantly so be strategic with your car audio system layout. You can also run the risk of battery drain by hooking up too many devices so be mindful. 

Need help upgrading your car audio system? We can help! Visit Toyota of Orlando and our expert auto parts department today at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.  

How should you prep your car for the end of daylight savings time?

 

Fall is in full swing and as the time passes, the days are getting shorter and shorter. Daylight savings time is about to end which means you might need to prepare for the fact that your commute - whether some or all of it - could be taking place in the dark. Luckily, Toyota of Orlando is here with tips on how to prepare your car for the end of daylight savings time with simple auto service tips. Check it out! 

5 tips for handling the end of daylight savings time 

Tip #1: Deal with any lighting issues. 

If you're driving in the dark, you're going to want each and every one of the lights on (and inside) your car to work properly. Before daylight savings time ends, have our Orlando Toyota service techs check your headlights, taillights, turn signals, hazard lights, and all of the lights on your dash and inside of your car. This way you can see everything you need to no matter how dim the lighting during your commute. 

Tip #2: Get on top of brake service. 

When was the last time you had brake service? You can't see as well in the dark and animals tend to be more active at night - both factors that can contribute to you having to come to a sudden stop. Make sure your brakes are in the best shape possible so you can bring your car to a quick stop whenever needed without issue. 

Tip #3: Clean your windshield inside and out. 

Our Orlando auto service techs recommend cleaning your windshield (and your back window) inside and out before daylight savings time ends. If you have dust or smudges on the glass, they'll reflect light from other cars and streetlights when you're driving in the dark. This can negatively impact your visibility and make it dangerous for you to be on the road. 

Tip #4: Check your defroster. 

Is your defroster working? We know - you rarely use it until after Christmas. But it's important to ensure your defroster is working as daylight savings time comes to an end in case we get a chilly morning where you need better visibility. If you're having issues, bring your car to Toyota of Orlando's service center to have our techs check it out. 

Tip #5: Inspect your tires thoroughly. 

How are your tires? Before you tackle a commute in the dark, make sure that they're in excellent physical condition and have the proper amount of tread needed for traction. You want to have a good grip on the road and no one wants to change a flat tire in the dark. 

Let Toyota of Orlando help you prep for the time change 

Have questions or want some help prepping your car for the end of daylight savings time? Call us! Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001 and we're conveniently located just off I-4 across from Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road. 

Bad Driving Habits You Should Fix ASAP

 In our minds we're the best driver on the road. We always follow directions and do nothing wrong. Unfortunately we're being super biased and we're very much thinking incorrectly. Mistakes happen and being behind the wheel doesn't prevent us from making them. But, being behind the wheel and driving does mean that your mistakes can be far more consequential if you're not careful. 

If you've become blind to your bad driving habits, don't stress! Toyota of Orlando is here with an easy guide for identifying these issues and fixing them ASAP. 

Most Common Bad Driving Habits and Solutions

1) Distracted Driving

This Orlando bad driving habit takes many forms. Eating, texting, talking on the phone, adjusting your seat or mirror, picking music, bird watching, whatever. It's easy to get distracted while driving, especially if you're a driver with plenty of self-proclaimed confidence. This is a bad habit that you need to nip in the bud and fast. Driving distracted can lead to accidents and it's very dangerous to engage in this behavior when behind the wheel. Put your phone down, eat before driving, keep your eyes forward, and stay distraction free. 

2) Driving without a Seatbelt

One of the worst bad driving habits you can have is not wearing a seatbelt. This, other than your brakes, are one of the most quintessential and important safety features of your car and it's important you always wear one. Going without wearing your Orlando Toyota seatbelt can leave you prone to being ejected from your vehicle in a collision which almost always proves to be fatal. Do yourself a favor, wear a seatbelt. 

3) Tailgating

If your mind jumped to images of football and barbecue, you're not on the right track (wahh wahh). Tailgating is common on the road and you may have likely engaged in or have been annoyed by it at one point or another. Following a vehicle too closely is a bad driving habit that spells an accident waiting to happen. If the driver in front of you decides to come to a stop you'll likely wind up with a nice fender bender to grace your finances with. The solution? Be patient, don't drive aggressively, and give yourself about 4-5 seconds worth of moving distance between you and the car in front of you. 

4) Not Using Yah Blinkah!

This may sound harsh, but your Orlando Toyota vehicle is equipped with turn signals for a reason and you should just use them. Always alert drivers to your movements so they can react accordingly. 

5) Driving Aggressively

Frustration is a human emotion and sometimes it can get the better of us. If you're frustrated behind the wheel, take a chill pill, relax, and drive calmly. This will prevent you or someone else from getting into an accident. 

6) Speeding or Driving Too Slowly

Speed limits may seem more like guidelines than actual rules (really, again?), but they're there for a reason. They're the safest determined travel speed on a roadway and you should always obey them. This means no speeding and no driving super slow. Both are terribly dangerous, one can wind up getting you into an accident, while the other will surely make other drivers mad. 

Still need help breaking your bad driving habits? Toyota of Orlando is here to help! Chat with us online or visit the dealership at 3575 Vineland Road today.