An overview of Toyota Safety Sense P

For many drivers, keeping themselves, their passengers, and other drivers safe while on the road is of utmost importance. Safety features are a driver’s first and most reliable line of defense when it comes to staying protected on the road and making sure your Orlando Toyota vehicle is well equipped to handle whatever might happen on the road. A feature that’s now standard on all new Toyota models, Toyota Safety Sense P, employs a suite of safety technology that works behind the scenes to keep you and everyone in your vehicle protected while commuting around town. Toyota of Orlando is here to give you the run down of what’s included in this safety package.

Automatic High Beams

Your Orlando Toyota vehicle’s high beam headlights are always there to illuminate your way while driving through severely low-lit areas, but they can also pose a hazard to other drivers. The automatic high beam safety feature activates when your vehicle reaches speeds of 25 mph or greater and uses a series of onboard cameras to detect both lowlight conditions and the headlights of other cars.

Pre-collision System

Fender benders are one of the most common accidents that can occur when driving around the Orlando area. Integrated cameras and laser/radar technology actively warn drivers of oncoming obstacles like other vehicles and road debris. This safety feature can also apply the brakes and apply additional force if the driver doesn’t hear/see the warning quickly enough. This system also includes Pedestrian Detection which uses the same technology to detect pedestrians in the path of your Orlando Toyota vehicle.

Lane Departure Alert

Exhausted driving is recipe for a potential accident and this safety feature keeps you in your lane. After reaching a speed of 32 mph or more, this warning system uses a series of sounds to alert drivers that their vehicle is drifting.

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

To make the cruise control function of your vehicle more usable and safer, dynamic radar cruise control is adaptive and actively detects Orlando Toyota vehicles in front of you. This safety feature detects the speed of vehicles in front of you when in cruise control and actively adjusts your speed to avoid a collision.

Road Sign and Lane Tracing Assist

Using front-facing intelligent cameras, the Road Sign Assist safety feature projects upcoming road and street signs onto the MID screen in your Orlando Toyota vehicle. The Lane Tracing Assist safety feature uses the same technology as the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and works to keep your vehicle centered in its lane.

Orlando Toyota vehicles equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P

• Toyota Camry
• Toyota Land Cruiser
• Toyota Tundra
• Toyota Tacoma
• Toyota C-HR
• Toyota Sequoia
• Toyota Prius, Prius C, Prius Prime
• Toyota RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid
• Toyota Corolla, Corolla Hatchback
• Toyota Sienna
• Toyota Highlander, Highlander Hybrid
• Toyota Yaris
• Toyota Avalon, Avalon Hybrid

Driving a vehicle equipped with the latest safety features is important to keeping you and other protected on the road. If your vehicle needs a safety update, come shop with us at Toyota of Orlando! Our expert auto sales team can direct you to great and affordable vehicles that are equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P. Visit us at 3575 Vineland Road seven days a week! 

Toyota safety in action: a Toyota Tacoma’s accident

Often when people think of trucks, the last thing they think of is safety. They think performance, utility, and size. But, like with every Orlando Toyota vehicle, safety is woven into the very body design. In fact, recently a Toyota Tacoma endured a very serious accident and, while the front and rear ends were destroyed, the cabin remained intact and the drivers safe. Toyota of Orlando is here with the full story and how Toyota safety technology benefits everyone by creating a safer driving environment.

A serious accident and a testament to Toyota safety technology

After a photo was published to the Toyota USA Facebook page of a Toyota Tacoma that recently endured a serious accident, people have begun to realize just how safe Orlando Toyota vehicles can be. The photo in this article was submitted by an EMT on the accident scene and it doesn’t lie. The pictured Toyota Tacoma was in a severe accident involving a semi-truck and that typically spells heavy damage and severe injury or potential loss of life because of the sheer weight and force semis travelling at high speeds. But, as you can see by the picture, the Toyota Tacoma sustained heavy damage, but the cabin was left intact as were the passengers.

Check out the latest in Toyota safety technology at Toyota of Orlando today

It’s remarkable to see safety technology and design in action, especially with an unexpected vehicle like the Toyota Tacoma. Here are some of the key safety functions that make protection like this possible:

• Toyota Safety Sense P: A suite of safety features that includes measures like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Automatic High Beams.
• Advanced Airbag System: several airbags placed throughout the Orlando Toyota vehicle’s interior to prevent motion and damage upon impact.
• Tire pressure monitor: an internal tire pressure monitoring system to make sure your Toyota Tacoma tires are inflated to the proper pressure level.
• Star Safety System: includes several more safety features like Vehicle Stability Control, Anti-lock Brakes, and Smart Stop Technology.
• Hill Start Assist: helps your Orlando Toyota vehicle start and accelerate on steep grades.
• Multi-terrain and CRAWL Control: adaptive driving modes designed for safety and handling when travelling off-road.
• LATCH technology: an anchoring system built into the seats of the Orlando Toyota Tacoma designed to better secure car seats.
• Bling Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Active Traction Control
• Rear Parking Assist Sonar and integrated backup camera.

Keeping you, your passengers, and others safe on the road is one of Toyota’s most important goals and these safety features speak volume for that. What’s even better is that all this safety technology is available in the affordably priced Toyota Tacoma. With tons of customizable options from cabin dimensions, engine type, bed sizes, and accessories, this truck is perfect for all drivers!

If the safety features of the Orlando Toyota Tacoma have wowed you as well, then come take a test drive! Visit Toyota of Orlando today at 3575 Vineland Road or give us a call at (407) 298 – 4500 to schedule a test drive today!

Hydrogen car engines: a new form of green driving

To improve the planet, the auto industry has been making major moves towards greener driving with hybrid engines, electric vehicles, and even some solar power integration. One form of energy currently being explored by Toyota to develop renewable driving technology is a hydrogen car engine. Currently, the only Orlando Toyota vehicle using hydrogen power is the Toyota Mirai and it likely won’t be available at our Orlando Toyota dealership. But, the use of this technology is paving the way for a renewable future in hydrogen power. Toyota of Orlando has all the information on how hydrogen car engines work and the benefits to using this renewable energy technology.

The benefits of using a hydrogen car engine

With a variety of other options for greener driving, like electric and hybrid, using hydrogen seems like an odd choice for power generation. But, hydrogen car engines work very similarly to internal combustion ones on a typical Orlando Toyota vehicle and require very little maintenance. While the technology isn’t currently available in the Orlando area, Toyota aims to bring hydrogen pump stations and the Toyota Mirai to more areas of the U.S. within the next few years. If you’re interested in hydrogen car engine technology, here are a few of the benefits:

• Using a hydrogen fuel cell engine is very similar to using an electric engine, but a hydrogen car engine doesn’t need to be recharged. Instead, Orlando Toyota Mirai drivers can use a hydrogen fuel pump, like a gasoline pump, to refill their car.
• One of the most abundant elements in the world is hydrogen and it can be harnessed and produced through a variety of means. Depending on how it’s produced, using hydrogen to fuel an Orlando Toyota vehicle can be almost if not more efficient than an electric vehicle.
• Hydrogen car engines don’t use very many moving parts and therefor don’t require oil changes or fluid checks.
• A hydrogen powered engine can travel farther than a typical gasoline engine on a full fuel cell using half the amount of hydrogen compared to the amount of gasoline a typical Orlando Toyota engine would use.
• The only byproduct of using a hydrogen powered engine is water as opposed to carbon dioxide which, in excess, is bad for the environment.  

When can you expect to see hydrogen car engines in Orlando

Hydrogen car engines are very beneficial to use and are truly one of the greenest forms of driving, but the technology has a very limited availability and its expensive. However, Toyota has announced plans to mass produce hydrogen powered vehicles, like the Toyota Mirai, and make the technology more accessible to drivers by the early 2020s. Toyota also has further plans to develop hydrogen car engines to be outfitted in SUVs and pick-up trucks by 2025 and there are talks of improving the driving range of hydrogen engines from around 300 miles to about 620 miles on a full tank of hydrogen.

 

Drive green with Toyota of Orlando

Greater fuel efficiency and renewable means of fuel is the way of the future for the auto industry and soon we may not even be using gasoline in our cars at all. Unfortunately, hydrogen fuel cell technology is only available in the Toyota Mirai, but Toyota of Orlando has several green vehicles like the 2018 Prius, 2019 Avalon Hybrid, and 2019 Highlander Hybrid. Give us a call at (352) 404 – 7000 to schedule your test drive today!

Horsepower, torque, and acceleration explained

When shopping around for an Orlando Toyota vehicle, you’ll find vehicle engineering numbers like 164 horsepower and 263 lb./ft. of torque. While having those numbers higher works in your favor as far as the vehicle’s power goes, do you really know what it all means? Making sure the vehicle you’re shopping for has the optimal amount of power you need for towing, hauling, or just driving yourself and others around town. To make sense of these numbers and what they mean, we sat down with our auto service experts at Toyota of Orlando and put together a helpful guide on torque, horsepower, and acceleration.

Horsepower

Horsepower, in terms of your Orlando Toyota vehicle engineering, is a measurement of power produced. One unit of horsepower is equivalent to 33,000 ft/lbfs (pound foot) per minute. Now, what does that mean? Essentially, this unit of vehicle engineering power accounts for the weight used, the distance being moved, and how long the vehicle takes to move a certain distance when accelerating.

Torque

Torque measures the amount of rotational force that happens along your Orlando Toyota vehicle’s axle. Basically, your vehicle’s axle acts like a rope with a weight and your vehicle is actively trying to twist that weight to move it up the rope. This generates energy and its measured by foot-pounds. Torque is used to calculate horsepower by multiplying your torque value with the current rpm of your wheels. This vehicle engineering number is measured using a tool called a dynamometer and it’s the primary factor measured when testing a vehicle’s performance while horsepower isn’t.

Acceleration

This vehicle engineering factor is measured as force divided by mass. When it comes to Orlando Toyota vehicles, acceleration is determined by the amount of force being applied to then move the car over a measured distance. It’s not calculated from or generated by the engine, it’s a measure of the force at the wheels that’s provided by the transmission.

All in all, these vehicle engineering terms are confusing, but they’re important to pay attention to when shopping for your next Orlando Toyota vehicle. What’s important to remember is the torque rating of your ideal vehicle to give you an actual measure of the force and power. This will help you determine if your chosen vehicle can handle jobs like driving several passengers, towing large trailers, or hauling supplies. It’s also important to note that horsepower is a value that can’t technically be measured. Our auto service experts at Toyota of Orlando recommend gauging your vehicle’s power by factors like the engine size, transmission type, and torque rating.

Your questions answered at Toyota of Orlando

Need help finding your next ride or still have questions about how torque, acceleration, and horsepower work? We’ve got you! Come visit us at Toyota of Orlando and our expert auto service team will be happy to help you. Give us a call at (407) 298 – 0001 or visit us at 3575 Vineland Road seven days a week!

Off-roading for beginners: a guide from Toyota of Orlando

Driving on the black top day in and day out for work, school, and everything in between can get a little dull. Back and forth on the highway and city streets often leaves drivers longing for something more. If your sense of adventure is calling, you might want to try off-roading! But, buying the right Orlando Toyota vehicle you’ll need to take on the trails, plus the added tires and suspension, can get confusing. If you’re not sure where to start on your off-roading adventure, don’t worry! Toyota of Orlando is here with an easy guide to get you off the pavement and on the trails!

The 411 on off-roading

Taking your Orlando Toyota vehicle off-roading can be an exciting thrill ride that’ll take you to all new places. But, if you and your vehicle aren’t prepared to handle the rough terrain, you could find yourself in a tough spot (like stuck in the mud or between a few trees). Here are a few things you should consider before taking your car off the beaten path:

Vehicle type

Unfortunately, not every vehicle is built to withstand off-roading conditions. For example, taking an Orlando Toyota Corolla or Camry out on a trail will most likely land you in hot water and ruin your vehicle’s suspension, body, and other important components. At Toyota of Orlando, we recommend using a larger SUV or truck for off-roading to ensure that you have the ideal height and customizable suspension for the best clearing height. Vehicles like the Toyota Land Cruiser, Tundra, 4Runner, and Tacoma make great vehicles for braving trails.

Find groups and organizations to go with.

While off-roading is a thrilling experience, it can be daunting, and you shouldn’t take on a trail unless you know where to go and you have people to go with. Not only is it better to share this experience with other, but if an accident were to occur someone’s there to help you. The best way to find off-roading groups around Orlando is to check out local online forums and clubs.

Consider using after-market customization parts.

Vehicles like the Orlando Toyota 4Runner and Tacoma are built to withstand off-roading conditions, but they could benefit from using after-market parts to enhance their performance on trails and rough terrain. Lift kits for suspension and all-terrain tires are recommended to give your vehicle some extra oomph when it comes to driving on trails. However, when customizing any car with after-market parts, you need to be aware of all that will entail. For example, adding a new part for your suspension typically requires adding new tires to compensate for the new height of your vehicle and the same applies for many other parts. Be sure to plan out your off-roading vehicle’s build in advance before diving in. If you’re unsure or need parts you can always ask our auto parts experts at Toyota of Orlando!

  

Tackle the trails with Toyota of Orlando

Before you take your off-roading trip, make sure you have necessary supplies like:

• Shovel
• Jumper cables
• Flashlight
• GPS and physical map
• First aid kit
• Tire pressure gauge
• Full size spare tire
• Plenty of food and water

If you’re eager to hit the trails, stop by Toyota of Orlando first! We can find you the perfect vehicle to tackle the rough terrain or outfit your current one with genuine Toyota parts at an affordable price! Visit us at 3575 Vineland Road seven days a week!

Toyota of Orlando’s guide to easy at home maintenance

There’s nothing like the comfort of home. Doing yardwork, vacuuming the carpet, and keeping things organized is all in a day’s work. If you’re someone who likes to work at home or likes a good project, why not add auto maintenance to your to do list? You don’t need a hydraulic lift or super specialized tools to work on your Orlando Toyota vehicle from home and it’s a lot less complicated than you think! Here’s a guide from our auto service specialists at Toyota of Orlando on easy at home auto maintenance.

Auto maintenance right from your driveway

Oil change

Watching an auto service tech put your car up on a lift to change your oil makes it look way more complicated than it is. Changing your oil is a perfect at home auto maintenance job that you can do on your Orlando Toyota vehicle. To get started, find a flat surface to park your car on. This will keep your vehicle from rolling when it’s up on a jack and prevent any potential injuries. Next, find an oil drain container to catch your current motor oil as it comes out of your car. Using a wrench, remove the drain bolt from the oil pan, this typically looks like a large container on your undercarriage. After you’ve found the pan and have a drain container, slowly remove the drainage bolt from the Orlando Toyota vehicle’s oil pan to release the old oil. If you need to replace the oil filter as part of your at home auto maintenance routine, make sure to do this before adding new oil. Also, be sure that your replacement oil filter is the correct one and that you remove the old O-ring with the old filter to ensure a proper seal. Next, pop open the hood and your new oil to the reservoir inlet! To find the correct amount of oil to put in your engine, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Windshield wiper fluid

Topping off your windshield wiper fluid is a breeze and can be done in minutes. Simply open the hood of your Orlando Toyota vehicle, look for the windshield wiper reservoir input and pour the new fluid in.

Check your tire condition and pressure

Another useful at home auto maintenance procedure that takes little to no time to do is to check your tire pressure and tread depth. Make sure to use an accurate pressure gauge so you know which pressure level to inflate your Orlando Toyota tires to. For checking your tread depth, make sure to use a quarter instead of a penny and see where the tread lines up with the president’s head. This will give you a better idea of your tread condition and if you should consider replacing your tires soon.

At Toyota of Orlando, we know auto maintenance

Auto maintenance can seem like a daunting project to take on but taking care of the easier jobs at home can save you money and keep your vehicle better maintained over time if you keep to regular schedule. However, if you find yourself having a difficult time with it or if you have questions, Toyota of Orlando is here to help! Our auto service experts can answer your questions and get you the help you need. Give us a call at (407) 298 – 0001 to schedule an appointment today!

Different car fuel types explained

Filling up at the pump seems pretty routine, but have you every wondered why there are different types of car fuel? Isn’t gasoline just gasoline? The truth is that gasoline has several types of options when it comes to your vehicle and how it affects performance and efficiency. Additives and different octanes have been developed over time to yield different performance results for Orlando Toyota vehicles and even some engines are specifically engineered to accept only one type of car fuel. If you’re confused, don’t worry! Toyota of Orlando is here to help ease the confusion with an easy guide on different fuel types and how easy it is to figure which one is best for your car.

Background info on car fuel types

It’s common knowledge that most Orlando Toyota vehicles run on gasoline, but car fuel has changed quite a lot over time due to new research and efforts to cut back on environmental waste. Gasoline, in its pure form, used to be used to power vehicles but it’s use would result in such a forceful combustion that it would heavily damage engines over time. Not only this, but it caused a large amount of air pollution as well. Eventually, additives were included with car fuel to reduce engine knocking in Orlando Toyota vehicles, but these additives proved to be harmful to air quality. After regulations were passed to improve air quality emitted from vehicles, Orlando Toyota parts like catalytic converters and better exhaust systems were developed and so were different fuel types.

Unleaded regular

Unleaded regular car fuel is what most Orlando Toyota vehicles use. This type of gasoline uses no lead and typically contains ethanol or a similar additive. It’s the lowest octane (fuel quality rating) but doesn’t negatively affect engine health overtime.

Plus unleaded

Mid-grade fuel has some slight benefits over regular gasoline, namely when it comes to fuel economy. The octane is somewhat higher, making it a better grade for Orlando Toyota engines.

Premium unleaded

This type of fuel has the highest-octane rating and some vehicles require use of this type of gasoline to ensure peak performance. Many luxury Orlando Toyota vehicles use this fuel to keep the internal components of their engines clean and minimize knocking.

Diesel fuel

Typically, diesel car fuel is used for diesel specific engines which can be found in heavier trucks and utility vehicles. This type of fuel is uncommon for many Orlando Toyota vehicles but can be found at many gas stations.

Get your car fuel questions answered at Toyota of Orlando

If you’re uncertain as to which type of car fuel to use in your vehicle, make sure to consult your owner’s manual or ask one of our expert auto service techs! At Toyota of Orlando, our auto service techs can help guide you to the right fuel type and get your vehicle running as efficiently as possible. Give us a call at (407) 298 – 0001 to set up an appointment today!

Hybrid engine vs internal combustion engine

As the automotive industry moves toward a greener future, one can’t help but wonder how much it must cost to maintain all that technology. While hybrid engines, hydrogen fuel cells, and renewable energy using tech seems complicated and potentially expensive. If you’re thinking of going green with your next Orlando Toyota vehicle, but the upfront cost and fear of expensive repair jobs is deterring you, don’t worry! Toyota of Orlando is here to answer your questions about hybrid engines and their general maintenance compared to a conventional gasoline vehicle.

Is a hybrid engine different from a gasoline engine?

Vehicles that come with hybrid options typically cost more upfront and that leads many to believe that the engine is significantly different from a conventional Orlando Toyota engine. However, the main difference between a hybrid engine and an internal combustion engine is an added component, the electric battery system. Hybrids are very fuel efficient and have very low operation noise thanks to the use of electricity and a gasoline engine. The battery system in a hybrid engine operates when a vehicle drives at low speeds and uses gasoline at higher speeds. Apart from the use of a battery, hybrid engines are very similar to conventional ones.

How much does it cost to maintain a hybrid car?

Hybrid Orlando Toyota vehicles are equally, if not less, expensive to maintain compared to internal combustion engines. The reason is that hybrid engines can use their electric battery system to operate the car which puts less wear and miles on the combustion engine. Hybrids also have a regenerative brake system that operates at a lower heat than combustion engines which means less maintenance and replacements for your brakes and pads. However, hybrid engines could always encounter a battery failure which could result in a substantial repair cost.

What kind of warranties to hybrid cars come with?

Driving an Orlando Toyota hybrid vehicle costs more up front, but drivers see a return in the form of superior fuel efficiency and a great selection of warranties. The hybrid engine and system are warrantied for up to eight years or 100,000 miles or even 10 years or 150,000 miles. This is to guarantee a repair if the battery or other part of the electrical hybrid system fails. 

Shop for a greener ride with Toyota of Orlando

Renewable energy and more efficient vehicles are what’s next for the automotive industry and the technology is always improving. Hybrid engines are now available on larger Orlando Toyota vehicles like the Toyota Highlander and RAV4 to maximize space and fuel efficiency all at once! While they may cost a little more upfront, they promise excellent mileage ratings and less maintenance costs. If you’re looking to decrease your carbon footprint and get behind the wheel of a hybrid, come to Toyota of Orlando! We have a large selection of the latest hybrid Toyota models waiting to be test driven. Visit us at 3575 Vineland Road today!