Auto repairs you should never put off!

We’ve all hit a point in our lives where we choose something over another. We even do that when our car needs auto repairs. We’ll notice something is wrong with out Orlando car but chose not to get it inspected for the fear of how much it may cost. However, there are some vehicle issues that you should never postpone if you catch wind of them. The longer you wait to repair it, the more expensive it could turn out to be!

Toyota of Orlando wants to make sure you are saving the most money possible. That’s why our service experts have come up with the top four auto repairs that should not be ignored.

Don’t postpone these auto repairs!

Auto repairs generally come with a warning. Here are the warning signs you don’t want to ignore, as it could end up costing you more money in the long run:

Battery light

Is your battery light turning on intermittently? Be sure to get it checked out as soon as possible at Toyota of Orlando. The light could signify that your alternator is having issues charging your car battery. You need to make sure that your alternator isn’t in danger of dying. If the alternator dies while you’re on the road, your car battery will do the same and could leave you stranded.  

Timing belt

Having your timing belt repaired can be one of the most expensive auto repairs done. This is because of how labor-intensive it is. However, getting one repaired is a lot less expensive than having the belt break while you’re on the road.  You’ll have to pay for a tow, and there’s a possibility that the broken timing belt damaged your engine! If you hear any sort of squeaking belt, make sure to bring it in for auto service. 

Wheel alignment

A wheel alignment may not seem like the most important thing in the world. Did you know waiting too long could lead to some extreme consequences? An uneven frame puts added strain on your tires and can cause structural damage to your car. And the longer you put off an alignment, the more Orlando tire service you’ll need since your tires will lose their traction quicker. 

Faulty brakes

If your car’s brakes are squealing or seem to be acting weird, be sure to get them checked ASAP! Your brake pads are trying to tell you that they need to be serviced. If you get this serviced early enough, all you might have to do is replace the pads. However, if you wait it can end up being one of the most expensive auto repairs!

Get car maintenance in Orlando

Have you put off some much needed car maintenance? Come to our service center in Orlando to get an inspection! We’re located at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.

Prevent rust from forming with these tips!

Have you noticed something different on your car? Maybe it’s an out a place spot that doesn’t match the rest of your car’s exterior paint. Unfortunately, this spot could be rust, and if it is, you need to take action to stop it from spreading. Not only does rust look terrible, it can be harmful to your car’s performance and lead to expensive repairs later on. Toyota of Orlando is here to give you tips on how to prevent rust from appearing, and what to do if you already see it on your car. 

How to prevent rust on your car

Tip #1: Wash your car – Washing your car is one of the easiest and best ways to keep your paint job in good condition. This is because it removes all the dirt and debris that can build up and damage it. We recommend washing your car once every two weeks, and make sure to get the undercarriage, wheel walls, and under the bumpers. That way rust will have a harder time developing.

Tip #2: Don’t forget to wax – Our Orlando technicians recommend waxing your car once about every four months or twice a year a minimum. Wax helps repel moisture, so it makes it harder for rusting to occur. Be sure that when you’re waxing, you’re putting a great effort into it. You wouldn’t want to miss a spot!

Tip #3: Make sure your paint is in good condition – When checking the health of your car’s paint job, you’re checking both the paint and the clear coat. These coats help prevent rust by creating a barrier between the metal and the elements. If you notice chipping, we recommend bringing your car in to see if a new car paint job is in order. 

Get help from the experts in Orlando

If you can already see a spot of rust on your car, you need to take action immediately. Rust can spread incredibly fast and can lead to expensive repairs down the road. Instead of trying to take care of it at home, we recommend bringing it to our Orlando service experts. They will be able to tell if the rust is only at the surface, or if it has eaten through the metal. If it’s just on the surface, you can usually grind it off, but if it’s gone through the metal you’ll have to replace the entire panel. That’s why you should make sure our Toyota of Orlando technicians take a look at it to help determine your next move.

If you feel like it might be time to bring your car in to get checked for any exterior paint damage, visit us! Our Orlando service center is prepared to make your car look like new once again. Toyota of Orlando and its service center is located at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.

Turn back the years on your car

You and your car have been through it all together. From hitting those hard-to-see curbs on the side of the road to morning coffee spills on your way to work. Although these little car quirks can remind you of some pretty funny memories your vehicle deserves to be in its best condition at all times. So here at Toyota of Orlando we have compiled a list of some the best and most effective do it yourself car care tips so you can get your Orlando Toyota vehicle looking brand new!

Car care, the DIY version

Tip #1: Deep clean your upholstery:

An easy way to tell how long a car has been around is to look at the interior. If you see grass stains, dirt, coffee, and mulch on an interior you can pretty much sum up that this car has had a pretty long life. But you can turn back that age dial by doing a deep cleaning of the upholstery in your car by following these car care tips. All you’ll need is six tablespoons of soap flakes, four cups of boiling water, and a single scoop of borax. Combine all of these ingredients until you have a foamy consistency, scrub the mixture into your seats with the help of a stiff brush, then wipe them off with a wet cloth and VOILA- your seats will look as they did when you first left the dealership!

Tip #2: Remove old bumper stickers:

If your Orlando Toyota vehicle is still sporting bumper stickers from 2012, wouldn’t you say it’s time to finally leave those stickers in the past? Removing bumper stickers is one of our easiest car care tips and can be done right at home with the use of some of the most common household supplies. For a bumper sticker on your windshield, use a flat razor blade. Just begin at the corner of the sticker and peel it right off. However, if your bumper sticker collection is located on the body of your vehicle, our Orlando Toyota service staff recommends smearing a layer of mayonnaise on the entirety of the bumper sticker. Once there is an even coat on leave the mayonnaise on for five minutes, come back and you should be able to peel the sticker off with no problem!

Tip #3: Restore hazy headlights:

Nothing makes your car appear more dated than hazy headlights. You always have the option to purchase new ones, but if you want to save some money and get the most out of your current headlights you can fix them with one simple ingredient we all have at home…toothpaste! Utilize your favorite toothpaste as a cleaner by simply applying it to your headlights and rubbing it in with a damp cloth and then rinse it off! 

Let Toyota of Orlando help you!

Now that you have the inside scoop on revamping the youth of your vehicle with DIY car care it is time to get to work. However, if you are ever short on time or just not comfortable doing any of these car care tips on your own don’t hesitate to stop by Toyota of Orlando and we can get the job done for you! We always offer quick and affordable auto service to keep your car in pristine condition. Just take a turn off of I-4 to 3575 Vineland Road or call us to set up an appointment at (407) 298-4500!

Keep these tools handy for DIY auto maintenance

A lot of people like to be more hands-on during the repair process of their Orlando vehicle. This provides direct control over how your car is treated! And even though our Orlando auto service techs at Toyota of Orlando are some of the best, we can understand wanting to have a more DIY approach to your vehicle’s auto maintenance. If you do want to complete your own auto maintenance, Toyota of Orlando suggests making sure you have at these tools. If you don’t, you might find your auto repair tasks a bit difficult. 

Tool talk for your auto maintenance

#1: An air compressor – This tool is used to inflate low tires and to power air tools. The compressor makes it much easier and more efficient to use these tools to perform your auto maintenance.

#2: A high-quality jack stand – If you feel like you’re ever going to work under your car, this is a must-have. Making sure you have a jack stand that’s of a good quality ensures better safety than those that might be a little more bargain priced. Try not to get a hydraulic jack, as those have a higher chance of failing, which is a huge safety risk.

#3: A headlamp and a work light – You won’t always be working out on the driveway or in the sun, it gets too hot for that! Without the use of a headlamp or work light, you might find some difficulty when you’re trying to see what you’re working on when conducting Orlando auto maintenance. A headlamp allows both of your hands to be free while it’s turned on, and a work light is beneficial if your work space is typically dark.

Keep these tools handy for Orlando car maintenance 

#4: Stubby screwdrivers – A stubby screwdriver lets you get into those hard-to-reach spots that give you such difficulty! It also gives you the control that you need without the longer length of a normal sized screwdriver when you need to unscrew something.

#5: A multimeter – This tool may look a little high-tech, but don’t worry, it’s easy to use! The multimeter measures the power, currents, and resistance of components that are under the hood. You can even use it to test your car battery!

#6: Extension bars for socket wrenches – Maybe instead of a component being too close, you have one that’s too far away. Extension bars will help you reach deep into your engine where it would be difficult to do so without one. You can achieve great reach with an extension bar, and a set of socket swivels gives you great flexibility. This will help make your personal auto maintenance less stressful.

Toyota of Orlando hopes that you are successful with your DIY auto maintenance. Our Orlando parts center will have all the tools you need to get the job done. However, if you feel like the problem might be a little more complicated than you thought, schedule an appointment with our service center! You can reach us by calling (407) 298-4500.

What to know about engine maintenance

It’s important to keep your car running smoothly. One of the ways to do that is to make sure you keep your car’s engine running properly. It’s basically the heart of your car. We know that when the “Check Engine” light comes on, you are probably going to be a bit nervous on what could be causing the issue.  Toyota of Orlando wants to make sure we find whatever problem is going on and fix it through our Toyota engine maintenance.

What can cause your Orlando engine to have problems?

We suggest that if that dreaded orange engine light comes on, you bring in your car to Toyota of Orlando’s service center where they can perform engine maintenance if needed. Even though causes for the “Check Engine” light to come can vary between vehicles, it is usually due to issues with a car’s emissions system. But it could also be a loose gap cap or even a faulty fuel injector! Some additional common causes include:

• ·         A wet engine

• ·         A blown head gasket

• ·         The fuel injector O-rings are pinched or have gone bad

• ·         The exhaust recirculation valves have become sticky

• ·         The oxygen sensors aren’t working properly

• ·         A hose or manifold could be cracked or loose

• ·         The spark plugs or spark plug wires could be worn

That’s why it’s so important to bring your car in for engine maintenance! You can just never be sure what the cause is. So be sure to get your engine looked at by one of our Toyota of Orlando experts!

How to prevent having to get engine maintenance

If you want to make sure that your engine is running properly, it’s your responsibility to get Orlando routine maintenance! Toyota of Orlando recommends a couple of easy steps you can take yourself to prolong the life of your engine.

Keep your filters clean – Air filters can help keep your car healthy if you keep them clean. They help your car “breathe” and catches all the stuff that gets splatted against the front of your car. Air filters help keep hurtful grime and moisture away from the engine. But you need to make sure it’s clean so your engine can breathe.

Oil changes – If you want to make sure your car is performing at its maximum level, we suggest following a routine Toyota oil change maintenance schedule. Oil changes are essential to your car. Oil lubricates the moving parts in your car to ensure there isn’t as much wear and tear. Without the oil, components can rub together so much and create heat the welds them together, causing your engine to seize. So be sure to change your oil so you won’t have to pay for it later with engine maintenance.

If you feel like your car might need some engine maintenance from our Toyota service center, be sure to visit our Orlando dealership location. Toyota of Orlando is located at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. You can schedule your appointment by calling us at (407) 298-4500.