Common Car Maintenance Parts and Terms You Should Know

For many of us lay-people out there, auto service and car maintenance is a foreign concept. Outside of tire rotation and oil change we don't really know what goes on under your hood when you hit the gas. While that's not a huge deal in today's day and age, knowledge is still power and knowing more about your ride can serve you well in the future. 

At Toyota of Orlando, we sat down with our expert auto service techs who suggested a few key terms and parts that you should know about ASAP. Check them all out there! 

Car Maintenance Terms and Parts You Should Know By Now

Air Filter

Apart from your oil needing to be changed or your tires needing to be rotated, your air filter needing to be cleaned or replaced definitely comes at a close third place for most common auto services. This part acts as one of the first points of contact for air entering your engine to help with ignition. Without a clean and clear filter, your engine could suffer damage due to air pollutants. 

Alternator

If you recently replaced your battery and you're at least 90% sure you didn't leave your headlights on all day, then you could have an alternator problem. This part works in conjunction with your battery to maintain a consistent charge and keep electrical functions on while you drive. 

Catalytic Converter

Orlando Toyota cars used to be heavy polluters, but they've evolved with certain car maintenance parts to help them be more environmentally conscious. The catalytic converter is one of the most essential parts used to accomplish this goal. If filters out excess smog from your vehicle's exhaust system and prevents harmful emissions from leaking into the atmosphere. 

Coolant

Your engine is always running hot. No, literally. It is. Always. Your engine burns fuel and and air to create power and, if left unchecked, could be considered a ticking time bomb. Enter, coolant. Coolant is an Orlando car maintenance fluid that courses through your engine to maintain a lower temperature and prevent your engine from overheating. 

Dipstick

Checking your vehicle's oil periodically is important to maintain the health of your Orlando Toyota car. One self car maintenance job any person can do is check their oil quality with the dipstick. This parts is a silver stick that sticks in your oil reservoir and can help you measure and assess the quality of your motor oil. 

Fuel Pump

This car part is responsible for transporting gasoline or diesel fuel to your engine block to then be ignited and turned into power. 

OEM

Original Equipment Manufacturer. If you're shopping for auto parts and want to make sure that the accessory you've chosen is compatible, the OEM indicator will ensure that it's 100% compatible. This means that the part is manufactured by the same producer of your vehicle. 

Oil Filter

If it seems like everything in your car needs a filter, that's because everything in your car DOES need a filter. Your oil filter removes pollutants from your engine's oil to ensure that your motor oil's condition is well preserved and working properly. 

Radiator

An essential part to your Orlando Toyota car maintenance cooling system is the radiator. This part absorbs heat collected by coolant after it has cycled through your engine and allows the fluid to continue to cycle unimpeded. 

Spark Plug

Igniting fuel in your car is no easy task and that's where spark plugs come in. This gets your engine running and burning fuel for as long as your keys are turned. 

If you feel better versed in car maintenance then it's time to put your knowledge to the test with top quality auto service from Toyota of Orlando! Visit our auto service department at 3575 Vineland Road today. 

Common car brake issues to look out for

When your car develops brake issues it can be a stressful situation. Your car brakes are absolutely essential to performance and safety, and there's always an unknown when it comes to figuring out how much it'll cost you to fix them. Toyota of Orlando is here to try and reduce some of the stress in this situation by explaining some of the most common car brake issues you might encounter (and also by offering service specials and affordable auto repairs at our Orlando Toyota service center).

Don't let these 5 car brake issues get past you

Issue #1: Your brake pedal feels mushy or soft when you press it. 

Does it feel like you have to push down more on your car brake pedal to bring your car to a stop - almost like the brakes are mushy or soft? If this is the case, you may very well have an issue with a bad wheel bearing or a problem in the master cylinder. It could also have to do with low brake fluid or a brake fluid leak, or even a blown brake line. Let our Orlando auto service techs take a look to diagnose the issue. 

Issue #2: Your brake pedal sinks to the floor when you're stopped and holding it down. 

Does your brake pedal sink to the floor when you're sitting at a light or stop sign and holding it in place? This is usually indicative of low brake pressure. The root of the problem can be an issue with the master cylinder, like a leak or a blown seal. Our Orlando auto service specialists will have to look more closely to find the cause and remedy it. 

Issue #3: Your brake pedal is difficult to push down. 

Do you feel like you have to exert more pressure than usual to bring your car to a stop or get your brake pedal to move? Usually, this can mean you have a seized up caliper or bad power booster. It can also stem from overworn brake pads or even a bad vacuum hose. Whatever it is, it requires attention at our Orlando Toyota service center, so don't delay bringing it in. 

Issue #4: Your car shakes or vibrates when you brake. 

When you press your brake pedal down to slow or stop your car, does the entire car shudder or vibrate? This usually means there's an issue with the rotors in your car brake system. If your brake pads are too thin, the excess friction and heat can actually warp your rotors. Let our Orlando auto service specialists take a look to see if they need to be cleaned, resurfaced, or replaced altogether. 

Issue #5: The brakes won't release properly. 

Is your car still braking even after you've released the brake pedal? This is usually a sign of a pinched brake line, a problem with your parking brake cable, or a seized-up caliper. It can even indicate a clog in the master cylinder. Let us get you back on the road! 

Schedule service for your brake system at Toyota of Orlando today! 

Have questions about your car brake system or any issues you've been having? Call us today! Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001 and our service center is conveniently located just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road. 

5 Car Care Habits You Need to Stop Doing Now

For many drivers out there, a car is a sizeable and necessary investment. In a city like Orlando, a car is essential to commuting for work, pleasure, and everything in between. Investing several tens of thousands of dollars on a car can eat into your finances and that's why it's important to do everything you can to better preserve your investment. Using better car care can ensure that your ride can continue to perform for years and years and can help preserve the resale value when it comes time to upgrade or sell. 

Unfortunately for many of us, we're highly guilty of engaging in bad habits that can put the health of your car in jeopardy. Luckily, Toyota of Orlando is here with a list of car care habits you may be unaware of so you can nip them in the bud now before it's too late. 

Bad Car Care Habits You Need to Take Care of Now

Habit #1) Running on Fumes

If you're someone who dreads looking at the digital counter on the gas pump, you're not alone. But, letting your gas tank run on fumes or drying up can actually cause quite a detriment to your ride if you're not careful. Your fuel pump could suffer damage and your fuel efficiency could take a hit between all the trips to the gas station. 

Habit #2) Shifting Like it's Fast and Furious

Whether you're parking or trying an action movie manuver, shifting too quickly between Park and Reverse is highly inadvisable as it can damage your transmission. The constant shifting can cause your transmission to stress unnecessarily the more frequently you engage in this bad car care habit. Instead, come to a full and complete stop before switching between gears on your Orlando Toyota car. 

Habit #3) Carrying A Lot of Cargo

While it's great to be prepared for anything with a variety of outfits and other miscellaneous items, driving with a lot of junk in the trunk can drag your ride down. Not only can this kill your fuel efficiency, it can weigh heavily on your suspension system and cause damage over time. Plus the longevity of your Orlando Toyota brakes will be greatly reduced because of the extra force needed to bring your ride to a full stop. 

Habit #4) Flooring it Like Spongebob

If there's one lesson from Mrs. Puff's boating school you should remember is that flooring it can lead to grave consequences. Aside from the potential to rear end the driver in front of you, this bad car care habit can put stress on your drivetrain and make your brakes work harder to bring you to a complete stop. If you want to save your brakes, gradually lay on the gas instead of putting the pedal to the floor. 

Habit #5) Using Your Parking Brake Inconsistently

Believe it or not, that lever next to your cup holders is more than drifting prop. Your parking brake can actually provide a lot of benefits to your Orlando Toyota car when used regularly for parking. Using it helps distribute your vehicle's weight more evenly and eases the pressure on your brake system. 

If you have questions or want to find more bad car care habits to curb, talk with us at Toyota of Orlando! Give us a call today at (407) 298 0001. 

Toyota of Orlando explains engine placement

Did you know that there are other places in a car to place the engine than the front? Believe it or not, not all vehicles have their engine situated in the front under the hood. There are actually three different types of engine placements that you can find on your next vehicle, and Toyota of Orlando is here to explain. Let's get started. 

The three types of Toyota engine placement

The three main types of Toyota engine placements are front, mid, and rear. You may not think that where the engine rests has much of an effect on your drive time, but it does, and our Toyota engine experts are breaking down each configuration so you can decide which is best for you next time you're shopping. 

Front-engine

Front-engine placement is definitely the most common configuration, especially in the modern market. All of our Orlando Toyotas have this type of engine placement and it's usually paired with front-wheel drive. In this setup, the engine is situated under the hood in front of your front wheels. Sometimes you'll find it paired with rear-wheel drive (like in the case of our Orlando Toyota Tundra or Toyota 86), but this combination puts things off-balance since the weight is in the front and the power is in the back. This makes you more prone to spinouts, so make sure you're comfortable driving this type of combination before you commit. 

Mid-engine

Mid-engine is definitely less common than front-engine placement - in fact, we haven't seen this set up on an Orlando Toyota since the Toyota MR2 sports car. In this configuration, the engine is actually located right in the middle of the car between the front and rear wheels. This results in an incredibly balanced car, which means you'll have superior cornering and handling capabilities. However, it also cuts down on interior cabin space - the engine typically sits where the backseat would be, so these vehicles are almost always two-seaters with just enough space for a driver and front passenger. 

Rear-engine

Mid-engine placement isn't common, but rear-engine placement is even less likely to be seen out on the road. You'll mostly find it in exotic or vintage cars (you won't find this Toyota engine placement on any of our current models). In this case, the engine is placed where you'd usually find the trunk - in the back of the car. This engine placement is almost always paired with rear-wheel drive which means you have extremely quick acceleration, but also means the car is prone to oversteering and can be difficult to drive. Be sure you're comfortable before you get behind the wheel and hit the open road. 

Toyota of Orlando can answer all of your engine questions 

Have questions about Toyota engine placement and how it can affect your drive time? Call us! Our Orlando Toyota Service Center is open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001 and our engine experts are on deck to get you the answers you need. 

5 Things You Should Know About Your Parking Brake

Have you ever looked around the interior of your car, particularly the immediate vicinity of the driver's seat, and wondered what everything does? Many drivers are inquisitive but many drivers also don't know what everything in their car does. One piece of equipment in your car (that you may have mistaken for a prop in Tokyo Drift) that you may or may not use is the parking brake (also called the e-brake). If you want to know more about this part, follow along with us at Toyota of Orlando!

What to Know About Your Car's Parking Brake

1) The E-Brake Can Be Either a Handle or Pedal

In most cases you've probably seen an Orlando parking brake as a handle that sits close to your driver's seat. While this is the prime place for it if you plan on drifting (DON'T unless you're a seasoned professional), it can also be a pedal close to where your left foot sits. The handle brake works by pulling it until it clicks into place and is deactivated by pushing the button on the end and depressing the handle. The foot pedal parking brake is activated by depressing the pedal until it clicks and then deactivated by pulling a switch until it resets the pedal. 

2) You Shouldn't Drive with the Parking Brake Engaged

While you may be tempted to try drifting (DON'T), driving with your Orlando parking brake activated can carry serious consequences for your car's brake system. Your brake pads will wear down faster and rising temperatures can cause rapid deterioration of your brake lines. 

3) Your E-Brake Needs to be Maintained

Like all things on your Orlando Toyota car, your parking brake needs routine maintenance by an auto service expert for it to continue working. During your next auto service with Toyota of Orlando, be sure to ask it be checked. 

4) Engage Your Parking Brake Before Putting Your Car in Park

Most of us engage the Orlando parking brake after putting our car in brake. The slight rock you experience is your car putting weight on the transmission which can cause damage over time. Instead, try engaging the parking brake before putting your car into park and then shift it into park. 

5) Your E-Brake Will Need to be Adjusted

Just like your rotors and brake pads need to be periodically replaced, your parking brake needs to be inspected and maintained. Corrosion can accumulate on this part and it needs to be removed from time to time. 

Have more questions about your parking brake or need brake maintenance? Visit our auto service center at Toyota of Orlando today at 3575 Vineland Road seven days a week!