How to Inspect Coolant Hoses

It may be the end of summer, but living in the Sunshine State we feel the heat well into the fall months of the year. That means you’ll definitely want to make sure your engine coolant hoses are in mint condition. These hoses in your car are the weakest link when it comes to your cooling system. That means they are going to need some tender, love, and care more frequently than the other components of this system. Not to fear, Toyota of Orlando has got your back and won’t let you suffer the effects of broken engine coolant hoses and 100-degree weather.

The 411 on Coolant Hoses

The coolant hoses in your car are comprised of pliable rubber compounds. They are made from this material in order to absorb the shock that comes from the engine and radiator of your Orlando Toyota. While the main duty of these hoses is to secure coolant under pressure there are several outside forces that can damage the rubber compounds they are derived from: extremes temperatures, oil, sludge, dirt, and ozone, to name a few. 

However, the biggest enemy to your engine coolant hoses is electrochemical degradation, also referred to as ECD. ECD will damage hoses by creating small cracks in the rubber that in the long haul, will create pinholes in the hose or cause the hose to completely burst. This delicate part of your cooling system only gets to this point when your coolant is contaminated by acid and the materials that reinforce the hoses are weakened. 

Toyota of Orlando tips to prevent hose failure

Now that you know what can happen if you do not take proper care of your engine coolant hoses and why they fail, we have picked the brains of our Orlando service staff to give you some simple tips on how to prevent this from happening to your vehicle. 

• Check that your coolant-recovery tank (this should be white) is filled to the proper fluid level. There are tick marks on your tank to designate where the fluid level should be. If you notice the level dropping beneath the appropriate level after multiple fillings you most likely have a leak.

• When inspecting your coolant-recovery tank check your engine bay for white, green, blue, or pink tracks. These tracks are an indicator of a leak.

• Make sure to do this step only when your engine is cool. Using your thumb and forefinger, press the hoses together close to the clamps. This is where ECD usually happens. If your hoses are in good condition you should find that they have a sturdy feel absent of any soft spots.

• When your car is hot, examine hoses for any cracks, bulges, or pinholes. Also, keep an eye out for any collapses in the hose or fraying by the connectors.

• After consulting your owner’s manual for proper instruction, flush and renew your coolant. Fresh coolant makes ECD and hose failure less likely. 

We know this sounds like a lot to do, but once you pop the hood of your Orlando Toyota this will all make a lot more sense. Just a couple of extra minutes of car maintenance and you could save yourself a whole lot of time and money. Nonetheless, if you have any further questions or want one of our Toyota of Orlando service staff members to take a look at your vehicle, don’t hesitate to call us at (407) – 298 – 4500. We are open 7 days a week and offer amazing service specials every day. Safe travels!

What to know about car recalls

Despite all of the efforts of automakers and their quality checks at auto manufacturing plants around the world, there are some models that may have a safety-related defect that doesn’t comply with safety standards that are federally regulated. When these defects are found, automotive manufacturers issue a car recall. Finding out your Orlando Toyota has a recall in effect may cause some anxiety. Be sure to stay informed and known what steps you need to take to make the car recall process easier. Toyota of Orlando has put together some tips on how to handle recalls.

How do you know that your vehicle has been issued a car recall?

You may be tempted to ignore a recall because you don’t have enough time or you don’t think it’s important enough. We highly advise against ignoring a recall and you should have the defect repaired as soon as possible. You don’t want to put the safety of yourself or the others around you in jeopardy over something that could easily be fixed. 

When an automotive manufacturer issues a car recall, it can be on only one model, or a variety of models that use the product with the defect. These recalls can affect the overall safety of your drive in Orlando. If Toyota issues a recall, a letter would be sent to customers affected by the recall specifically. This letter would include the following information:

• ·         Make and model specific information
• ·         A description of the defect
• ·         Potential hazards and risks that would occur if you choose to ignore this car recall
• ·         Warning signs to look out for that can signal that your car is affected
• ·         The manufacturer’s plans on how they will fix the defect
• ·         Instructions on how to get the defect fixed 

If you’re worried that you wouldn’t receive a letter, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration keeps an up-to-date list of vehicle recalls on their website. All you have to do is search by VIN.

What to do when you have a Toyota recall in Orlando

If you have been informed of a car recall for your Orlando Toyota, there are a few steps to take to make sure it’s repaired or fixed. You’ll want to follow the instructions listed on either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website or in the letter you received to get the defect fixed. 

When you bring in your car into our Orlando service center, there is no need to worry about whether or not the recall will be taken care of. When a recall is issued, the manufacturer is obligated to repair the defect at no cost to you. 

If you have any more questions about the car recall process, be sure to call our experts at Toyota of Orlando. You can reach them at (407) 298-4500. Our service center is located at 3575 Vineland Road just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.  

Easy car maintenance projects

In the pursuit of trying to lead a thrifty lifestyle, why not try and save a few bucks with some at home car maintenance? Although it’s wise to leave more advanced car repairs in the hands of a certified mechanic, our Toyota of Orlando service staff has given us on the inside scoop on two of the easiest and safest projects to do at home. The idea of handling car repairs yourself may be a little menacing, but we promise with our easy to follow directions you will be a car maintenance master in no time!

Toyota of Orlando’s favorite projects

Project #1 Replace your air filter. 

We recommend that you replace your car’s filter every 12,000 miles or every 12 months. It is easy to pass the baton to a mechanic to get this job done, but that means you’ll be without your Orlando Toyota for an entire day. So why not do it yourself? We estimate that this job will take only about 10 minutes at home and cost around $10.

• Locate the air filter under the hood of your car. The air filter should be a black box with small silver clips on its edges. If you have trouble finding the filter you can always refer to your owner’s manual.   
• Remove the box’s casing and observe how the filter is placed inside and which way it is facing.
• Remove the present filter and replace it with the new one, making sure to place it in exactly how the other filter was in.
• Snap the metal clips close when complete.

Voila! That’s all it takes to replace your air filter. Not too difficult, right? Now let’s check out another way you can act as your own at home mechanic.

Project #2. Replace your windshield wiper blades.

This is a very important repair to keep up with when it comes to living in Florida. We get a whole lot of rain, and prime visibility is vital to having a safe driving experience. We advise that you replace the blades of your windshield wipers every 6 months to a year. That being said, learning how to stay on top of windshield wiper replacement is an excellent investment of your time. Toyota of Orlando has determined that this DIY car maintenance will take close to 15 minutes and cost only $10-$20. Here are our easy-to-follow instructions: 

• Lift wiper blades as if you were cleaning your windshield.
• Observe how current blades are attached to the metal arms.
• Locate a tab on the bottom side of the current wipers.
• Once you find the tab, press it to detach current blades. 
• While making sure not to bend the metal arms or damage your windshield, put on the new blades. 
•  Ensure the new blades are in the correct position and securely fastened.

It’s as simple as that! And if you have any doubts about your at home wiper blade replacement, there should be instructions included with your new blades so you can double-check your work.

Be your own mechanic!

And there you have it! At home car maintenance can really be that easy. All you need now is to come on out to our Toyota of Orlando parts store to get your replacement parts and you’ll be set with a new air filter and wiper blades before you know it. If you ever have any questions or need other work done on your vehicle, don’t hesitate to take a turn off of I-4 and visit our Orlando Toyota dealership. We are open seven days a week and offer incredible service specials daily. See you soon!

Get to know the parts of your engine

Have you ever really thought about what actually makes your car run? You may know that the engine in your car may produce power, but do you know what’s inside of your engine? Knowing the car parts of your engine is a great way to stay informed when you need to get car maintenance. Toyota of Orlando is here to understand the functions of the main car parts of your engine. 

What are the main parts of your car engine in Orlando?

Cylinders

A cylinder is one of the most important parts of a car engine. It’s the area where the gas you fill your car with it burned to produce power. When you hear a difference in the number of cylinders, generally the more cylinders a car has, the more powerful it is. The fewer number of cylinders a car has the more fuel efficient a car is.

Pistons

The pistons are another important car part of your engine. These moving parts are actually located inside of the cylinders. The movement of the pistons allows the cylinders to produce power for the engine.

Spark Plug

This is perhaps one of the smallest parts of your Orlando car engine. This easily replaceable car part emits a spark of electricity that creates the ignition that is needed to create the combustion needed to start your car.

Oil Pan

Do you ever where all the oil goes when you get it changed at our Orlando service center? The oil pan is the storage unit for all of the oil in the car. Without this car part, there would be no way to have the correct amount of oil in your engine. The oil pan stays under the car so it can be damaged over time. The good part about this is the fact that you’ll be able to notice when the oil pan needs a repair quite easily.

Valves

Valves regulate the flow of air to mix inside of the cylinder, and exhausts gas outside of the cylinder block. If you begin to have engine trouble, that could lead to irreversible engine trouble.

Fuel injector

Fuel injectors are responsible for inserting the right amount of fuel into the car engine. This makes sure there is a suitable air to fuel mixture for optimal combustion.

Get replacements or maintenance for car parts at our service center

Making sure your Orlando car is in good shape includes getting the car parts of your engine looked at. Without engine maintenance, your car wouldn’t even be able to run! 

If you’re overdue for some routine car maintenance, or you’re worried about your engine’s performance, bring it in! Our Orlando service center will be glad to assist you with whatever you need. We’re located at 3575 Vineland Road just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. If you need to make an appointment, call us at (407) 298-4500!