Conserve gas this winter

You may be surprised to know that just like your favorite food gasoline has an expiration date too, and an even shorter one in the colder winter months. The main reason for your car’s gas going “bad” is air. You may think that your Orlando Toyota's fuel system is airtight, but it isn’t. That being said, when gasoline sits in the fuel tank during long term car storage it becomes polluted by air which leads to oxidation and corrosion of your fuel. But no need to worry, now that you’re aware of this car maintenance problem, Toyota of Orlando is here to let you in on the secret to prolonging your gas’ quality this winter. 

Typically, your gas will have a shelf-life of 30 days. After this allotted time, your gas begins to oxidize and gunk up from the varnish created by the air. These deposits mess up the performance of any part of your fuel system that it can get to. Therefore, the quickest and easiest solution to this car maintenance problem is a simple additive, a fuel stabilizer.

Affordable winter car maintenance

A fuel stabilizer will extend the quality of your gasoline for about a year. What’s even better is that this additive is super easy to use. The only difficult part about this is remembering to regularly use it. That’s why our Toyota of Orlando service techs recommend setting reminders for yourself to do this whether that be in a planner or on your phone.

So now that you’re in on this car maintenance secret, let’s learn how to use it.

Step 1: Pour

Before pouring, consult the instructions on the fuel stabilizer bottle to ensure you pour the correct amount to treat your fuel tank. According to our service techs, this additive performs best when your tank is not completely full and the gas inside is not already spoiled.

Step 2: Top Off

After you pour in the additive be sure to fill the rest of your tank with new fuel. The mixture of fresh gasoline and stabilizer will help get rid of any spoiled gas that might still be in your tank and increase your fuel efficiency. Furthermore, topping off your tank will leave less space for air and water to sneak its way in thus preventing oxidation and corrosion.

Step 3: Turn On

You’re almost done! Now it’s time to turn on your engine. Typically, you will need to run it for five to ten minutes, but there will be a run-time specified on your bottle of stabilizer. Running the engine ensures that your fuel stabilizer has purified not only your gas tank but all of the other parts of your engine and fuel system. 

An easy winter with Toyota of Orlando

So if you’re putting that convertible into hibernation for the winter make sure to add your fuel stabilizer first! If you have any more car maintenance questions or want us to help you prepare your car for winter, stop by our Orlando service center today! We are always running service specials to get you the service you need at a price you deserve! We’re open seven days a week and just a quick stop off I-4 near the Milennia Mall. See you soon!

Make sure your car heater is ready for winter!

Winter is definitely here in Orlando! It’s been a while since we’ve felt temperatures as low as the ones we’re dealing with currently and may face next week. Because of this drop in temperature, you’ll want to make sure your car heater is functional! Our Toyota auto service team is here to help you figure out if your heater is ready for the cold temperatures, or if you need to get it checked out by a professional. 

How to tell if your Orlando Toyota’s heater is functional

When you turn on the heater in your Orlando Toyota, you’ll more than like get one of three outcomes.

1. The heater quickly turns on and pushes out warm air.
2. Air is flowing, but it’s not very warm.
3. No air is circulating at all.

We’ll break down what auto service steps you should take depending on what your car heater is doing.

The heater quickly turns on and pushes out warm air

This means that your heater is working properly! There are only a couple of things we suggest doing.

• Keep the heater on throughout your journey.
• Turn on the heat at least once a week so it doesn’t get used to being turned off.

Air is flowing, but it’s not hot

If you can feel the air flowing from the vents but no warmth along with it, you probably have an issue with your heating core. Like a radiator, hot antifreeze fluid is passed over the heating core so when you turn on the heat you’ll get warm air through the vents. When the air isn’t warm, that usually means there isn’t enough of the antifreeze passing the heating core, or its getting blocked. Here are some auto service suggestions to know in this situation:

• Top off your antifreeze if you check the fluid levels and see that it isn’t full. Make sure to check your auto fluids this winter to make sure they don’t need to get replaced.
• If there seems to be a blockage, we suggest going to a professional so they can safely remove whatever is causing the block.

Air isn’t flowing at all

In this situation, you may have a more troubling situation on your hands. No airflow can mean anything from a blown fuse or a blower motor that’s no longer functional. Here’s what you can do about your Orlando car heater:

• If you think it’s an electrical problem, replace any potentially blown fuses before you look at the relay switch and blower resistor.
• If it’s not electrical, you’ll have to seek professional help. Our Toyota auto service team in Orlando will definitely be able to help!

Get ready for winter with auto service!

Make sure your car is ready to take on cold weather with help from Toyota of Orlando! Schedule an auto service appointment today by calling us at (407) 298-0001.

Set car maintenance new year's resolutions for 2018

2018 is just days away, which means it's time to set those new year's resolutions. While you toss around ideas like losing weight or tightening up your bank account, why not consider getting on a car maintenance schedule? Routine car care can save you money when it comes to repairs and service as well as keep your car running like new. (And it's an easy resolution to fulfill, too.) Toyota of Orlando is here to help!

Let Toyota of Orlando help you make 2018 the best year yet 

We can get you on a routine car maintenance schedule and help you stick to it all year long; our techs will send you reminders when you're due and also conduct a multi-point inspection when your car is here for auto service to ensure no bigger problems are about to crop up. Here are some of the things you'll want to consider putting on your schedule this year:

Routine oil changes. Remember, oil is an essential component of your car's performance. Without it, your engine can quickly overheat and become irreparably damaged. That's why it's important to get on an Orlando oil change schedule and bring your car in when it's due to get the tank filled up with clean oil. Save yourself a ton of money in the long run by spending a little bit now!

Tire rotations. It's important to rotate your tires because if you don't, they wear unevenly. This means they wear out more quickly, which means you have to replace them more quickly (so much for tightening up your budget). Rotating your car tires on a scheduled basis will help them to wear more evenly and give you a better overall performance.

Battery inspection/replacement. No one likes being stuck with a dead car, scrambling for jumper cables and hoping for the best. Have your battery checked on a routine basis (our Orlando car maintenance techs will check out your voltage as well as the physical condition of the battery). And remember, if it's time to replace your car battery, don't delay!

Keep your ride running like-new in 2018 with routine car maintenance

Wipers replacement. Your wipers wear down over time (especially with the intense weather we get here in Central Florida). Once the rubber on the blades starts to deteriorate, it's time to replace them. You'll notice them leaving streaks on your windshield as well as making odd noises when in motion. Replace them so you can safely take on any type of weather.

Brake service. You want full stopping power on your side at all times... period. Schedule routine brake service to have your brake pads, rotors, brake lines, and everything else in the system inspected and if need be, replaced or repaired.

Kick off 2018 the right way - let Toyota of Orlando get you on a car maintenance schedule today! Our auto service center is open seven days a week at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. See you soon and happy new year!