Excessive oil consumption: what is it and what does it mean for your car

Typically, changing your Orlando Toyota car’s motor oil is routine and rarely given a second thought from drivers. But, for some drivers, their engine could malfunction and suffer from excessive oil consumption. Typically, low mileage vehicles don’t burn oil and drivers typically won’t have to add any extra until their oil change. An auto maintenance issue like excessive motor oil consumption can arise from several different things and it can be difficult to pinpoint unless you’re an expert auto service technician. Luckily, Toyota of Orlando is here with an easy to follow guide on what excessive motor oil consumption is, what causes it, and how to deal with it.

What exactly is excessive oil consumption and what causes it?

Excessive oil consumption occurs when your car burns oil throughout your commute and causes it to deplete gradually. Typically, drivers who experience this type of Orlando Toyota auto maintenance issue wind up having to pour an extra quart of motor oil into their engine every month or so. On average, drivers who drive Orlando Toyota vehicles that suffer from excessive oil consumption have to add oil anywhere from every 600 to 1,200 miles and still have a regularly scheduled oil change. This type of auto maintenance issue can be caused by factors like:

• Wear and tear of a cylinder piston
• Sticking of oil rings
• Crankcase ventilation system defects
• Bad oil quality
• The valve stem seals aren’t working
• Your Orlando Toyota vehicle has an oil leak
• If your car has a motor oil leak, the oil could be leaking into the cooling or exhaust systems

Fortunately, many Orlando Toyota vehicles don’t experience excessive motor oil leaks until their odometer hits the 100,000 and over miles mark. While some auto manufacturers claim that oil burning is normal, about 98% of vehicles on the road don’t burn any oil during their commutes.

When it comes to resolving this issue, it’s best to seek help from an auto service technician (our auto service techs are Toyota of Orlando can get your vehicle back up and running in no time). However, this is an issue that isn’t cheap or easy to fix. To repair an excessive motor oil consumption, piston rings could need replacing, the valve stem seals may need replacing, or the entire engine may need to be replaced. Your Orlando Toyota vehicle may also need additional repairs for oil leaks. In total, this type of auto repair could cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,700.

Unfortunately, an issue like this could make or break your Orlando Toyota vehicle and our auto service technicians recommend bringing it in at the first sign of excessive motor oil consumption. If you’re unsure if your vehicle is being affected by this auto service issue or you have general questions, feel free to visit us at Toyota of Orlando! We’re located at 3575 Vineland Road and open seven days a week!

Common auto maintenance mistakes

Being an owner of an Orlando Toyota vehicle involves a lot more than just turning on your engine and putting it in drive. Your car is a machine that can take you wherever you need to go, but it also needs to be taken care of properly, so you can continue to drive. However, between work and other stresses that fill your day, probably one of the last things on your mind is auto maintenance. Often times, it’s easy to ignore your check engine light when you have to get to work in the morning, or your tire pressure light, or the fact that your windshield wipers are deteriorating. But, to keep your car in peak performance shape, Toyota of Orlando is here with a guide on auto maintenance you might forget about and why you shouldn’t.

Rotating your tires

A tire rotation is essential to keeping them wearing evenly over time and lasting longer. Our auto maintenance techs at Toyota of Orlando recommend rotating your tires every 5,000 – 10,000 miles, or whenever you get an oil change.

Oil changes

Depending on the grade of motor oil you’ve used in your Orlando Toyota car, you need to pay close attention the number of miles you have to go before your next oil change. The oil in your engine can break down over time and if not changed regularly it can cause your engine to malfunction and eventually fail. Make sure to have your oil changed when recommended to keep your car free of auto maintenance issues.

Rear windshield

Many drivers likely use an ammonia-based window cleaner to clean their front and rear windshields. Unfortunately, using window cleaner on your rear windshield can deteriorate the small heating elements used to defrost the glass. Our auto maintenance techs at Toyota of Orlando recommend using a specific automotive glass window cleaner.

Windshield wipers

Rain shower after rain shower can wear your windshield wipers out over time and leave you unable to see during low visibility conditions. Luckily, replacing your windshield wipers is quick and easy for your Orlando Toyota vehicle. Our auto service techs can get you a replacement pair for an affordable price.

Brakes

Without your Orlando Toyota brakes, there would be no way to stop your vehicle while out driving. Many drivers ignore signs like squealing or grinding that indicate worn out brakes. Make sure to have these checked by one of our auto maintenance techs.

Tire pressure

The pressure in your tires is difficult to tell just by looking at them. Make sure to diligently check your tires for the proper pressure level and use a tire pressure gauge. Your tires can lose pressure over time and when the temperature around them changes.

Solutions to your auto maintenance issues at Toyota of Orlando

At Toyota of Orlando, we know that keeping up with auto maintenance issues can be a bit time consuming and difficult to attend to. So, let us make it easy! Our auto service techs are here to help with whatever your vehicle needs. Give us a call at (407) 298 – 0001 for more information!

Common exhaust system issues

Typically associated with tailpipes, your Orlando Toyota exhaust system is an integral part of your vehicle and performs more tasks than just being a pretty set of pipes. Your vehicle’s exhaust system is responsible for transporting toxic fumes from your engine compartment created during combustion and converting it into a less harmful gas. Without your exhaust, your vehicle wouldn’t be able to work properly. Like every other part of your Orlando Toyota car, your exhaust system is no stranger to technical issues. Luckily, if you’re unsure on how to troubleshoot your vehicle’s exhaust, Toyota of Orlando is here with an easy to follow guide on common exhaust system issues.

Poor acceleration and power
Your Orlando Toyota vehicle’s performance relies heavily on the exhaust. A lack of performance and acceleration power is often indicative of an exhaust issue. This is likely caused by an exhaust leak and can lead to worse issues in the future if left unchecked.

Bad fuel efficiency
Consequently, poor acceleration and power will ultimately lead to poor fuel efficiency for your vehicle. Your engine will begin to overcompensate for the lack of power and acceleration and ultimately cause your vehicle to experience bad fuel efficiency.

Burning smell from the engine
Your exhaust system covers are a large area from your engine compartment to the undercarriage and the rear of your vehicle. If a gasket in your engine compartment should fail, the exhaust fumes will start to burn plastic wiring components. This could also lead to a burning smell and visible smoke. Our Orlando auto service techs recommend having this inspected immediately to prevent further damage.

Loose or hanging tail pipe
Often times, parts that are used to hold your vehicle’s exhaust up can get damaged and cause the pipes of the system to drag on the road. To save your system from getting a leak or breaking off and become debris on the road, make sure to visit our Orlando auto service center as soon as possible.

Noisy engine
A common telltale sign of exhaust issues is a noisy engine. Exhaust leaks can lead to excess engine car sounds that sound like hissing or tapping. This is often an issue with the manifold gasket and the sound can be heard most clearly during a cold start.

Smell of gas in the cabin
If you smell gasoline or exhaust fumes in the cabin of your Orlando Toyota vehicle, this means that your exhaust system is experiencing a bad leak. You should bring your vehicle to one of our auto service experts to be inspected immediately. An issue like this could lead to carbon monoxide leaks inside your cabin and could prove fatal!

Visit Toyota of Orlando for a fix to all your exhaust system issues

Your vehicle’s exhaust is an important part that can affect every other aspect of your car. If any of these symptoms should pop up throughout your drive, makes sure to visit our expert auto service center at Toyota of Orlando. Give us a call at (407) 298 – 0001 to set up an appointment today!

Car sounds and feelings that could spell trouble for your vehicle

Everyone’s Orlando Toyota car is equipped with dashboard warning lights that let you know something’s wrong. But, one warning system that we as drivers usually take for granted is car sounds and feelings. Has your car ever made a squealing sound while turning or your wheel shaken while braking? Most Orlando Toyota drivers experience car sounds and feelings if there’s something wrong under the hood or in the undercarriage. While it’s often difficult to determine what exactly is going wrong from simple sounds, they can help you when it comes to scheduling repairs and service. Toyota of Orlando is here to help you make sense of all the noise, so you can be more aware of what’s ailing your ride.

Car sounds explained

Squeals: Squealing sounds are fairly common when it comes to car sounds. They can come from a variety of places and it makes them difficult to pinpoint, unfortunately. But, listening to when and where the sound is coming from can give you a good idea. If the squealing starts when you start the engine, it could be coming from a worn belt. If it happens when you hit the brakes, then it’s likely a worn brake pad.

Grumpy cat car sound: While it’s not a technical name for the sound, this one will happen when you try to start the engine. The usual cause for this is your Orlando Toyota engine’s battery is running out of power. If you hear this sound, bring your car by to our auto service center.

Rear rumble or roar: A roaring sound with a rumbling feeling in the driver’s seat usually spells exhaust system trouble. What’s likely happening is a leak somewhere in your exhaust system that’s causing excess noise to get into the cabin instead of the muffler. While the car sound may not seem like much of an issue, this could cause lethal carbon monoxide to leak into the cabin. Make sure to have a Toyota of Orlando auto service tech check this out immediately.

Flapping: If you hear a flapping sound when running your A/C, this could be caused by a worn out or loose ventilation flap. This auto maintenance issue isn’t a serious one, but the car sound can get quite annoying.

Yawning: When turning your steering wheel, your Orlando Toyota car makes a sound like a yawning or groaning. This is likely caused by a power steering system issue.

Auto repairs and maintenance made easy at Toyota of Orlando

Car sounds can tell you a lot about any issues that may be going on under the hood. So, let us take a listen! At Toyota of Orlando, our expert auto service techs are well trained to identify strange engine noises. We can figure out what’s going on and get your vehicle fixed up, so you can get back on the road. Visit us at 3575 Vineland Road, jus off I-4 near the Millenia Mall, seven days a week!