Toyota of Orlando’s 5 best holiday road trip maintenance tips

Are you ready for those fast-approaching holidays? With this time of year being known to be quite stress-inducing with the amount of planning, cooking, and travelling involved, your friends at Toyota of Orlando want to help you have one less thing to worry about. We’ve pulled together some of our best road trip maintenance tips to keep you safe on your travels this holiday season.

Tip #1: Check your wipers

It is important to check the condition of your windshield wipers before any road trip. The weather can be awfully unpredictable during this season and we want to make sure you’re safe from any windshield obstructions. Remember to replace your wipers if necessary before heading out and top off your windshield wiper fluid.

Tip #2: Service your brakes

Check in with our Orlando Toyota car experts to make sure your brakes are in good working order. You won’t want to be mid-road trip and find out your braking system is faulty. It’s unsafe for you, your passengers, and others on the road if the stopping mechanism for your car is malfunctioning. Let’s take a look at your car’s rotors and pads to see if they need replacement before you go.

Tip #3: Clean your car’s interior and exterior

Plan to clean out the inside of your car in order to ensure you and your passengers are comfortable on the long ride. Make sure you keep an extra bag inside to use for collecting trash along the way. If you’re planning on heading somewhere where road salt is used for ice and snow, be sure to get your car washed and waxed beforehand in order to prevent damage from being done to your car’s paint job.

Tip #4: Get an oil change

It’s important to get an oil change as part of your regular maintenance routine, so consider scheduling your next one close to when you leave for the holidays as part of your road trip maintenance to-do list. Having fresh oil and a new filter will help to keep your engine running smoothly on those long drives.

Tip #5: Prepare your tires

Anytime you plan on driving a long distance, it would be beneficial to make sure your tires are in good condition. You’ll want to check on the status of the treads and top off the air pressure before you hit the road. Our Orlando Toyota techs would be glad to give you a hand with checking wheel alignment and tire rotation off your road trip maintenance checklist as well!

The holidays should be a time to enjoy good food, good conversation, and good company. Car problems should be the least of your worries. Let’s make sure you have a reliable ride this season. Schedule an appointment by calling (407) 298-0001 or stop by our Toyota of Orlando service center at 3575 Vineland Rd just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall today! Happy Holiday from our Toyota family to yours!

Is an alternative fuel car the right fit for you?

When it comes to going green, there are a million different ways to do it. However, one of the biggest impacts you can make on the planet is to alter your drive time to be more eco-friendly - we're talking getting behind the wheel of an alternative fuel car. There are a ton of options out there, though, and a car is a big investment. Is an alternative fuel Orlando Toyota really the right ride for you and if so, which one best suits your drive time style? We're here to help you figure it out!

Should you invest in an alternative fuel Orlando Toyota? 

Before you can decide which Orlando Toyota you want to use to create a greener lifestyle, you need to ask yourself if an alternative fuel car is REALLY the right ride for you. In order to figure it out, here are three basic questions to think about before you start shopping:

1) Which one is the car for me? 
When it comes to Orlando Toyotas that use alternative fuel sources (i.e. not gasoline), you have three main choices - hybrids, electric cars, and fuel cell vehicles. Each has its perks and not all of them are for everyone, so do your research to find out which one appeals to you and meets both your budget AND your drive time needs.

2) Will it suit my drive time needs? 
As mentioned above, this new Orlando Toyota will need to meet your drive time needs. If you're in need of a vehicle that can tow and haul heavy loads or handle tricky terrain off-road, look elsewhere. These green cars were created with eco-friendliness and fuel efficiency in mind so they're not the best for towing or off-roading. Also, if you drive long distances for your commute, will an electric vehicle be feasible?

3) Does my city's infrastructure support this type of vehicle? 
Not all cities support alternative fuel cars. While hybrids are found all over the world, not all cities have charging stations for electric cars or refueling stations for fuel cell vehicles. Before you buy, ensure that your city's infrastructure can support your car and your fueling needs.

What green car options are available to you? 

Now let's talk about the type of alternative fuel Orlando Toyotas available to you. As noted, there are three main types - hybrids, electric cars, and fuel cell vehicles. We're breaking down each of them below.

Hybrids: These green cars are the most popular option and also the most versatile. They switch back and forth between a gasoline engine and an electric motor so you can easily fuel up, but you can also reduce your emissions and enhance your fuel efficiency big time.

Electric cars: Electric cars run off of battery power so they need to be charged, but luckily you can charge up in your own garage. You'll need to ensure your city can support this type of vehicle because it does have a limited range, although automakers are working to improve it (some can go up to 400 miles on a single charge). Electric cars are even greener than hybrids because they don't have a gasoline engine under the hood.

Fuel cell vehicles: FCVs are as clean as it gets - they run off of hydrogen, so they only emit water vapor and don't use any fossil fuels. However, they're not readily available just yet. Right now only California and Hawaii have the infrastructure to support fueling them, so you won't find them at our Orlando Toyota dealership at the present time.

Ready to shop or want more info about your options? Call Toyota of Orlando today - we're open seven days a week for your convenience at (407) 298-4500.

Know your car brakes

Your car brakes are arguably the most important part of your car’s operating system. If your vehicle can go from 0-60 in 2.5 seconds, that’s fantastic, but what happens when it’s time to stop? Your brakes are essential to getting you from point A to point B, safely. Getting to know how your brakes works will help you to practice defensive driving and ensure the safety of you and those around you when you drive. Toyota of Orlando is ready with some insight for you to get to know the inner workings of your vehicle’s brake system.

Part #1: Brake Line

The brake line assists the master cylinder in getting power to the car brakes by acting as a transportation system for the brake fluid that works to stop your car. The brake line is made up of a series of tubes and hoses that allow for smooth transfer of the fluids from the master cylinder to the brakes. 

Part #2: Car Brakes Fluid

The brake fluid is what creates the pressure used by the master cylinder and brakes to stop the car’s movement. Similar to motor oil, it is important to keep an eye on your brake fluids under the hood to ensure it remains at a safe level. Our experienced Orlando Toyota techs would be happy to check it out for you, if you have any concerns on the levels in your car.

Part #3: Master Cylinder

The master cylinder is the part that controls the power directed to the brakes. It is located right below the pedal area, so when you press the brakes you are signaling the master cylinder to supply the necessary power to the brakes to begin slowing the movement of the wheels. It is common for cars to have two master cylinders as back up in case the first one fails.

Part #4: Rotors and Pads

Keeping an eye on the health of your car brakes requires extra attention to the rotors and pads. The caliper, which wraps around the rotor (the circular disk behind the wheel,) is where the piston and pads are located. The rotors and pads create the friction needed to stop the car by rubbing together when the driver presses the brake pedal. It’s important to come into Toyota of Orlando’s service center with any concerns you may have about your rotors and/or pads as soon as possible to get them checked out.

Your braking system is something you should get to know, so you’re familiar with when it’s time to get it checked out. Replacing or updating your car brakes are essential to keeping you, your passengers, and other occupants of the road safe in your day-to-day travels. Toyota of Orlando is dedicated to helping maintain the safety of our customers and their families by encouraging you to come in to our service center for routine maintenance check-ups. Make an appointment by calling (407) 298-6006 or stopping by 3575 Vineland Rd just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall today!