The manual transmission is one of the first and most original forms of transmission for the automobile. It truly bonds a driver to their car and it's preferred by racers everywhere. Manuals are pretty cool but their use and preference has been in steep decline for some time and many drivers don't even know how to use it (this author included). This is likely because of its complicated nature and large margin for error.
If you're someone who's been on the fence about learning or is scared to do so, check out this guide from Toyota of Orlando on how you can drive your manual Toyota car better.
Keep These in Mind When Driving Stick
Never Forget to Use the Clutch First
When driving a manual Orlando Toyota car, you're the only one who can do the shifting, no one and nothing else. This requires great timing and memory for the procedure of shifting. A key component to this process is to never, EVER, forget to use the clutchbefore you even touch the shift knob. This means your left foot is going to have to do something other than sit there chilling while you drive.
While a few attempts of messing this up won't have any super serious consequences for your ride, repeated mistakes can cause rapid deterioration to your clutch, gear shaft, and more. A before B and 1 before 2.
Don't Rock (& Roll)
A huge point to driving is coming to a stop. That's why we have brakes! In a manual, mastering first gear can be quite a bear, but once you do you'll feel like champion of the world. Most will let this go to their head and start trying a variety of tricks. One of them is coming to a stop at a stoplight and engaging the clutch every so often to "rock" your Toyota car back and forth.
Keeping your Orlando Toyota ride in first means you have a quicker start once the light goes green, but it can damage your transmission and its adjacent parts. Do yourself (and your ride) a favor and chill.
Keep Things in the Friendzone
Most manual Toyota car drivers forsake their right hand and keep it firmly attached to the shifter throughout their drive. While this is convenient if you have to shift frequently, at some point you gotta chill. Bring your ride to a constant gear and then ease off for a while. Let your right hand do something else and keep your shifter from getting damaged. Win win.
For the Love of God, Don't Moneyshift
While it may sound like a term you'd find in Fast and Furious, it's not. Well, maybe it is. This author isn't an expert on those movies (or are they?). Moneyshifting is a dangerous and, sometimes, deadly act one commits on a manual Orlando Toyota car when they shift to the wrong gear after reaching a peak RPM.
This damage from this can be catastrophic and most vehicles don't drive away unscathed. A great example of this, caught on camera no less, is vlogger/driver Robert Mitchell. His in cabin perspective recording, driving a Toyota GR Yaris to boot, shows the RPM gauge reach a 6,500 RPM mark where one would typically switch to 3rd gear. Instead, he downshifted back to first gear. His RPM gauge then shot well past 10,000 RPMs and the squeal from the engine was enough to make even non-gearheads uncomfortable.
Lucky for him, his GR Yaris held together, after some much needed damage control, but that's not the case for every vehicle out there. Word of advice? Shift to the right place when you need to.
Need more tips for driving your Orlando Toyota car better? Visit the dealership at 3575 Vineland Road for all our tips and tricks.
If you've pulled up to our Toyota dealership recently, you were probably understandably shocked by the lack of new inventory we have kicking around. It's not normal for a high-volume dealership like ours to have a lacking supply of the new Toyota Camry or Tacoma. So, what's the big deal? Well, that's a complicated one to answer.
The automotive industry, like almost every other one out there, has been experiencing supply chain issues brought on by several factors going on in the world right now. If you're one of the many people who's concerned about the lack of supply and choices when it comes to purchasing a new Toyota, you'll want to read this. Toyota of Orlando is diving into the global supply chain issues plaguing the automotive industry right now and what you should do in response.
When the Chips are Down, What Do You Do?
It's an understatement to say that the coronavirus pandemic has upended quite a lot and exposed the weaknesses in our global supply chains. Shipping goods and various items worldwide requires precise timing and even one ship stuck in, say, the Suez Canal (looking at you, Ever Given), can delay the production and sale of products on a massive scale. If you've been trying to get your hands on a PS5 or Xbox Series X/S lately you know what we're talking about.
With Orlando supply chains heavily affected by the ongoing global pandemic, harsh regional weather conditions, and more, Toyota vehicles are in short supply. The parts affected specifically include semiconductor "chips" which have hampered the production of many Toyota models and other electronic-based devices. Let's dive into what this part is used for, specifically, and what that means for you when you're searching for a new Orlando Toyota Tacoma.
Briefly on Semiconductors
Semiconductors, or chips in this case, are small devices used as part of an electronic system to distribute power to various devices throughout the vehicle. Essentially, you need them if you want to use anything electronic in your Orlando Toyota car. They allow for the use of important features like the battery, safety systems, infotainment, lighting, and so on. They're typically made of germanium and silicon and are used in just about every modern vehicle out there on the road.
Depending on the extent to which your vehicle uses electricity, the semiconductor can be larger or smaller. A typical internal combustion engine (ICE) uses one to, namely, distribute and manage power from the battery to operate other accessories. In highly electrified vehicles like a hybrid or battery electric vehicle (BEV), semiconductors control larger areas of the engine compartment and power far more features.
So, what does this all mean for supply chains and the amount of vehicles being produced going forward? It means that the automotive industry, and many other ones that deal in electronic goods, will likely be suffering supply chain issues for a lengthy period of time. Toyota itself has had to shutter various assembly plants in the U.S. due to the gross shortage and it could take months or maybe even a year before the global supply chain of chips returns to normal. Even then, it could take a while before production catches back up to pre-pandemic levels.
Still looking for a new ride? Toyota of Orlando is here to help! Visit the dealership at 3575 Vineland Road and shop with us today.
What was once the staple of the automotive world, more like the only one available in fact, has become the niche and obscure option. We're talking about manual transmissions and they're pretty few and far between as the desired driving mode on many vehicles. Some vehicles on our Orlando Toyota lineup don't even have manual as an optional transmission. It's hard to argue with the convenience and freedom automatic transmissions afford us as drivers, but manuals still hold a special place our hearts and the hearts of many out there.
It's preferred by racers, automotive purists and originalists, and those looking to add a little more interactivity from their ride. But, there's a lot of room for error when it comes to using the world's first transmission type. To keep your Toyota car from falling apart while you're driving it, we at Toyota of Orlando are here with some key things to remember to better drive your manual transmission ride.
Habits to Break to Preserve Your Manual Toyota Car
Driving a manual Toyota car can be quite tricky. There are a lot of steps to remember and keep in mind plus a huge margin of error. A slip up could cost you a lot at the auto service shop. To keep your engine intact, here are some essential tips from Toyota of Orlando.
Remember, the Clutch Always Comes First
Driving a manual Toyota car means, in effect, you're the one who has to do the shifting for the engine. This, for many drivers, is pretty difficult. It requires excellent timing, instincts, and you have to always remember that you have a 3rd pedal and your left foot is going to have to do some work.
When shifting, it's absolutely key to remember to push in the clutch before your right hand does any shifting. The clutch opens up the gear shaft and allows you to shift. Forgetting to engage the clutch or doing so at the wrong time can have pretty detrimental consequences for your Orlando Toyota car. In short, always use the clutch first.
Stop Rocking at Stoplights
Driving a manual Orlando Toyota car takes some getting used to, but once you do you need to make sure you come to and stay at a stop correctly. Putting your shifter in neutral feels a fair bit unnatural so many manual drivers out there will come to a stop light, keep it in first, and engage the clutch intermittently, and rock back and forth. While this primes you for a quick start from the stop light and helps you get the hang of driving in first gear, it can wear the life out of your clutch. It may seem lame, but the smart thing to do is just put it in neutral and re-engage when the light changes.
Give the Shifter Some Room to Breathe
Unless you're racing and need to change gears quickly, there's really no reason to keep your hand on the shifter. "But what if I want to feel like I'm on the set of Fast and Furious?" Well, while we all would love for that to happen (especially this writer) the truth is that driving a manual with your hand on the shifter can wear it out much faster. The manual transmission is a delicate piece of machinery and you should only interact with the shifter when necessary. After that, give it and your hand some space.
Don't (For the Love of God) Moneyshift!
Orlando Toyota cars are built to be pretty sturdy and resilient, but not even a Toyota can handle the grueling and detrimental impact of a moneyshift. What do we mean? What jargon is this? Let us explain. A moneyshift happens when a driver brings their RPMs to a critical high point and shifts down or to the wrong gear by mistake. Actually, a driver/vlogger named Robert Mitchell did this and caught it on camera. During a hill climb race he reached a gear 2 RPM of 6,500 but shifted down instead of up. From there the Orlando Toyota car GR Yaris he was driving squealed an ungodly squeal and sent the gauge to about 10,200 RPMs.
Somehow, the GR Yaris survived but it's one of the few Toyota cars out there that could. Doing this causes catastrophic damage to the clutch, gear shaft, and engine overall and can leave your ride permanently indisposed. Long story short, don't moneyshift. Just don't.
Drive Your Manual Toyota Car Better with Toyota of Orlando
Driving a manual can be tricky, but follow these tips and you'll be in great shape. But, if you do make a mistake (as we all do), Toyota of Orlando has your back! Visit our auto service center at 3575 Vineland Road today or schedule an appointment online.
Have you or a friend been in a car accident where the other party just left the scene? This is called a hit-and-run and it is one of the most tedious forms of accidents because you’re left with a lot of unanswered questions. It’s pretty stressful and if you have no clue on how to deal with it, you’ll go crazy. This is why here at Toyota of Orlando, we’ve compiled a list of tips on how to deal with a hit-and-run accident.
Dealing With a Hit-And-Run Accident
#1: Make sure no one is hurt
Assess everyone’s well-being immediately after the occurrence. Check to see if any emergency medical services are needed, if so, dial 911 right away.
#2: Move your car out of the way
Whether you're on the highway or on a main road, try to move your Orlando Toyota away from the road—especially if it’s in the way of traffic. Don’t risk getting hit by another vehicle because your car is in the middle of the road. You’ll also want to make sure it’s visible to other Orlando drivers. Turn on your hazard lights and if you have flares or road triangles, you’ll want to bring those out too.
#3: Call the police and document everything
The police will assist you with filing the police report—you’ll need this for insurance purposes. Don’t forget to write down every detail of the accident. Where did it happen? At what time? What day? And what events lead to the accident? This information will help both the police and the insurance company.
#4: Look for witnesses
Make an effort to find witnesses that are willing to make a statement. If you are able to do so, save their contact information in case you need more details in the future.
#5: Tie up loose ends
If you need to go to the doctor, do so as soon as possible. This way if you have injuries, it could all be documented along have a course of treatment plan so that your insurance can help cover it. You should also file a claim with your insurance as soon as you can. Be sure to let them know it was a hit-and-run.
All in all, going through a hit-and-run car accident can really bring in stress to your week. The best thing to do is to stay calm and follow all of the aforementioned. If your Orlando Toyota became a victim to a hit-and-run accident, make moves right away! When it’s time to choose a body shop, tell your insurance company you want US to do your repairs. Stop by our Certified Collision Center at Toyota of Orlando. We’re open Monday through Saturday and located at 3575 Vineland Rd just off I-4 near Millenia Mall. You can also call (407)659-2040 to schedule an appointment and have your car examined by one of our Collision Center techs.
If you've been thinking about making the switch to a Toyota hybrid or you've recently driven one home, you've probably wondered how to get the most out of its electric driving capabilities. Hybrid technology has come a long way over the last few decades, and Toyota continues to be one of the industry's leaders in fuel-efficient, electrified vehicles.
In fact, Toyota has been refining hybrid technology since the original Prius debuted in the late 1990s. Fast forward to today, and there's a Toyota hybrid available for just about every type of driver. Whether you're looking at the Prius, Camry Hybrid, Corolla Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Crown, Tacoma i-FORCE MAX, Tundra i-FORCE MAX, or one of Toyota's plug-in hybrid models, you'll enjoy impressive efficiency without sacrificing everyday practicality.
If you own a plug-in hybrid like the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid or RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid, you can even drive using electric power alone for short trips. The question is—how do you maximize that electric range? Toyota of Orlando is here with a few simple tips to help you get the most from your Toyota hybrid.
Maximizing Your Toyota Hybrid EV Power
The electric driving option in your Toyota Hybrid is an excellent feature for saving on your fuel costs and reducing emissions dramatically. We at Toyota of Orlando highly recommend you take full advantage! But, how do you get the most out of this feature? Check out our tips below:
Know Your Specs
The first thing you should do is remember your vehicle's specs, especially when it comes to EV driving range and MPGe. Paying closer attention to the latter metric here, MPGe, can really help you better understand just how efficient and capable your Orlando Toyota hybrid is. Bear with us for a moment while we walk you through what MPGe is exactly.
How does a Toyota hybrid work?
Before diving into the tips, it's helpful to understand what makes a Toyota hybrid different.
Unlike a traditional gasoline vehicle, a Toyota hybrid combines:
A gasoline engine
One or more electric motors
A hybrid battery
Intelligent software that automatically switches between power sources
The system constantly determines the most efficient way to move the vehicle. Sometimes you'll be driving on gasoline power, sometimes electric power, and often a combination of both. The best part? Most Toyota hybrids recharge their batteries automatically through regenerative braking, so you never have to plug them in.
Plug-in hybrid models work a little differently because they also allow you to recharge the battery using an external charger. This gives you additional electric-only driving before the gasoline engine even needs to turn on.
Know your Toyota hybrid's capabilities
The first thing every hybrid owner should do is learn their vehicle's specifications.
Every Toyota hybrid has different fuel economy ratings, battery sizes, and electric driving capabilities. Knowing these numbers helps you understand what your vehicle is capable of and lets you plan your driving more efficiently.
Some important numbers to know include:
Combined MPG
MPGe (Miles Per Gallon Equivalent) for plug-in hybrids
Electric-only driving range (if applicable)
Total driving range
Charging time
What is MPGe?
One specification that often confuses drivers is MPGe.
MPGe stands for Miles Per Gallon Equivalent, and it's used to compare electric driving efficiency with gasoline-powered vehicles.
Here's the simple explanation:
The EPA determined that 33.7 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity contains roughly the same amount of energy as one gallon of gasoline. MPGe allows consumers to compare electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids using a familiar fuel economy measurement.
You'll also notice another number on your vehicle's window sticker showing how many kWh are required to drive 100 miles. The lower this number is, the more efficiently your Toyota hybrid uses electricity.
Make the most of EV Mode
If you own a plug-in Toyota hybrid, one of the biggest benefits is being able to drive without using gasoline at all.
Depending on your model, your electric-only range may be enough for:
Your daily commute
School drop-offs
Grocery runs
Dinner outings
Weekend errands
Many drivers discover they rarely need gasoline during the work week because most daily trips fall well within their electric range.
Planning shorter trips while your battery is fully charged allows you to maximize your fuel savings.
Keep your Toyota hybrid charged
This one sounds obvious, but it's probably the most important tip on the list.
If your Toyota hybrid is a plug-in model, remember to charge it regularly.
Many owners simply plug in overnight so the battery is full every morning—similar to charging a smartphone while you sleep.
Charging options include:
Standard household outlets
Home Level 2 charging stations
Public charging stations
Workplace charging stations
Developing a regular charging routine helps ensure you're always getting the maximum benefit from your hybrid system.
Consider upgrading your home charging setup
Most Toyota plug-in hybrids include a standard Level 1 charging cable that works with a regular 120-volt household outlet.
The advantage?
No special installation is required.
The downside?
Charging is slower.
If you drive on electric power frequently, upgrading to a Level 2 home charger can significantly reduce charging times and make owning a Toyota hybrid even more convenient.
A Level 2 charger may be worth considering if:
You commute daily
Multiple family members drive the vehicle
You frequently use EV Mode
You want quicker overnight charging
While installing a Level 2 charger does require an upfront investment, many owners find the convenience well worth it over the life of the vehicle.
Smooth driving helps your battery last longer
One of the biggest misconceptions about electric driving is that efficiency doesn't depend on your driving habits.
In reality, it absolutely does.
Just like a gasoline-powered vehicle, aggressive driving uses more energy.
Rapid acceleration, hard braking, and high highway speeds can all reduce your available electric range.
To maximize your Toyota hybrid's efficiency:
Accelerate gradually
Maintain consistent speeds
Leave plenty of room for smooth braking
Avoid unnecessary hard acceleration
Use Eco driving mode when appropriate
Gentle driving allows your battery to stretch farther and helps you spend more time driving on electric power.
Let regenerative braking work for you
One of the coolest features of every Toyota hybrid is regenerative braking.
Instead of wasting energy when slowing down, the electric motor captures some of that energy and sends it back into the battery.
You can help the system work more efficiently by:
Looking farther ahead in traffic
Braking gradually instead of suddenly
Coasting whenever possible
Anticipating stoplights
The smoother you drive, the more opportunities your hybrid has to recover energy that would otherwise be lost.
Keep your tires properly inflated
It may seem unrelated, but tire pressure has a major impact on hybrid efficiency.
Underinflated tires create additional rolling resistance, meaning your Toyota hybrid has to work harder to move down the road.
Checking your tire pressure once a month can help:
Improve fuel economy
Increase electric driving range
Reduce tire wear
Improve handling
Always inflate your tires to the pressure listed on the driver's door jamb—not the maximum pressure printed on the tire itself.
Reduce unnecessary weight
Every extra pound your vehicle carries requires additional energy to move.
If you're trying to maximize your Toyota hybrid's efficiency:
Remove unnecessary cargo
Clean out the trunk
Take off roof racks when they're not being used
Avoid carrying heavy equipment you don't need
Reducing weight helps improve both fuel economy and electric range.
Stay current on maintenance
Hybrid vehicles still require routine maintenance to perform their best.
Keeping your Toyota hybrid serviced according to the factory maintenance schedule helps maintain efficiency over the long term.
Routine maintenance includes:
Oil changes (when applicable)
Tire rotations
Brake inspections
Air filter replacement
Cabin air filter replacement
Cooling system inspections
Hybrid system inspections
Fortunately, Toyota hybrids are known for their long-term reliability and generally require no more maintenance than comparable gasoline-powered models.
Don't stress about the battery
One of the biggest myths surrounding hybrids is that the battery needs constant attention.
In reality, Toyota's hybrid battery systems are designed to last for many years under normal driving conditions.
The vehicle automatically manages battery charging and discharging to help maximize battery life, so there's very little owners need to do beyond following the recommended maintenance schedule.
Experience Toyota hybrid technology at Toyota of Orlando
Whether you're considering your first Toyota hybrid or already own one, understanding how the system works can help you get even more from every mile you drive. From keeping your battery charged to practicing smooth driving habits and staying on top of routine maintenance, a few simple changes can make a noticeable difference in efficiency.
Have questions about hybrid ownership or want to explore Toyota's growing lineup of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles? Visit Toyota of Orlando at 3575 Vineland Road. Our team can help you compare models, explain hybrid technology, and find the right Toyota for your lifestyle.
FAQs
Does a Toyota hybrid need to be plugged in?
Most Toyota hybrids do not. Traditional Toyota hybrid models recharge automatically through regenerative braking and the gasoline engine. Only Toyota plug-in hybrid models need to be connected to an external charger to maximize their electric driving range.
How can I increase the electric range of my Toyota hybrid?
Drive smoothly, avoid rapid acceleration, keep your tires properly inflated, reduce unnecessary weight in your vehicle, and keep your plug-in hybrid fully charged whenever possible.
Is maintaining a Toyota hybrid more expensive than a gas vehicle?
Generally, no. Toyota hybrids follow maintenance schedules similar to gasoline-powered vehicles, and regenerative braking often reduces brake wear. Routine service helps keep your hybrid operating efficiently for years to come.
