Used Car Buying Red Flags to Watch Out For

 Shopping for a car can prove to be quite financially overwhelming. Between down payments, monthly payments, insurance, and more, it can feel like you're going to be sinking a lot of money into a depreciating asset when all is said and done. A great way to circumvent this issue is by buying a used car instead of something new off the lot. This helps drivers avoid depreciation and get a car that's essentially new and already broken in/had its first round of maintenance. But, this does come with risks. There's never a total guarantee that the used vehicle you decide to drive home is the most reliable and technologically sound, but there are some signs you can watch for to make sure you don't get into a lemon. 

Wondering what those signs are? Toyota of Orlando is here with the skinny. Let's go!

Watch for These Signs When Used Car Shopping

There's Dirty Motor Oil

A good rule of thumb for any Orlando used car seller is to run a new arrival through a preliminary round of auto service and maintenance to ensure that the vehicle is up to par with standards for sale. If you're able to check the oil and fluids during your buying process and notice that the oil is dirty or old, this could spell problems fast. This means that the vehicle was likely not maintained recently and other issues could be going unnoticed. Buyer beware. 

The Car Smells Like it Smoked 2 Packs a Day

Cigarette smoke is one of the hardest odors to get rid of once it attaches to a used car's interior. Pay attention for this smell when checking out the Orlando car you're looking to buy. If you smell a faint odor masked by large amounts of air freshener, turn your nose to something else. This smells is virtually impossible to remove (unless you gut the interior completely) and will ruin your driving experience quickly. 

Obvious Accident Damage

Accidents happen to the best of us and it doesn't always mean that you're going to be buying a lemon. But, if you notice that there are unrepaired damages then it might be time to reconsider. You should always request a vehicle history report and ask as many questions about the damage and it's repair before you buy. 

Obvious Band-Aid Fixes

These types of amateur repairs are meant to stay hidden, but if you look closely enough you can find them. Look over the Orlando used car with a fine toothed comb and look for exterior defects, sloppily repaired interior damage, and bad auto service mishaps. They might be hard to spot, but you can find them if you're thorough. 

Non Existent Records

While a vehicle history report can tell you some things, they won't tell you everything. When looking at a used vehicle, ask for a clearer auto service record in conjunction with the vehicle history. This can tell you how well or poorly the vehicle was maintained by the previous owner. It never hurts to ask!

Obvious Neglect

If you see an overabundance of damages like dings, scratches, obnoxious odors, stains, and so on, then it's likely that the used car has been pretty well neglected. These vehicles are best avoided. 

Ready to shop for a quality used car from Toyota of Orlando? Visit the dealership at 3575 Vineland Road today! 

Can you safely drive your car after a car accident?

 Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is a feat all on its own. You have to deal with damages to your car and finding a trustworthy repair shop, take care of any injuries that you may have sustained in the collision, file a report with law enforcement, report the accident and file a claim with insurance... the list of to-dos can get long pretty quickly, but we've got one more thing to add to it and it should definitely be at the top. You have to decide if it's safe to drive your car away from the scene of the car accident. 

How do you know if it's safe to hit the road after a car accident? We sat down with our Toyota of Orlando auto body repair techs to come up with a list of questions you should ask yourself before you get behind the wheel, and here's what we came up with. 

Five questions to ask yourself after a car accident 

Question #1: Can the hood close and latch? 

Can the hood of your car not only close but also latch? This is a make-or-break question. If it can't latch closed and stay shut, then it could fly up while you're driving. This can not only shatter your windshield and cause injury to you and your passengers but also cause you to get into ANOTHER car accident. If it can't latch closed, you need to call a tow truck. 

Question #2: Is the windshield intact? 

How's the windshield looking? If there's just a small crack or two in it and nothing is spiderwebbing out or causing a hole in the glass, then you should be OK to drive, but schedule a windshield repair or replacement as soon as possible. If the cracks are large, there's spiderwebbing, or you have any holes in the glass, the structural integrity of your car's windshield has been severely compromised and you need to call a tow truck to get it to Toyota of Orlando's auto body repair shop. 

Question #3: Do you see fluids leaking under the car? 

Take a peek under the car - do you see any fluids leaking? If you see a steady flow or large puddles of anything, it's a good idea to have a tow truck take you where you need to go. A leak may not seem like a big deal but if vital fluids are leaking out, it could greatly impact your car's performance and also hurt your engine. 

Question #4: Are your headlights and taillights working? 

 Test your headlights and taillights before you head out. Your taillights are critical to safety; after all, they let the car behind you know when you're braking and also when you're turning. Your headlights light your way at night and also let other drivers see your car. Make sure both work before you hit the road. 

Question #5: Are your wheels still aligned? 

Check your wheel alignment before you leave the scene of the car accident. If your car is drifting or pulling to the side, then the alignment is off and you need to bring it to Toyota of Orlando to have it fixed ASAP. However, if the pulling is so bad that you're fighting to keep your car on the road, you're at risk of damaging your vehicle AND getting into another accident, so call a tow truck. 

Get help after a car accident at Toyota of Orlando 

Have questions or need help after a car accident? Toyota of Orlando is always here to help. Call us at (407) 298-6006! 

The Pros of Window Tint and Tips for Getting it Done

 As much as we in Orlando like to gloat about living in the sunshine state, the truth is that it can get pretty obtrusive after a while. Sunburns, heat damage, sweating, all great things afforded to us by the excessive amount of sunlight, get old really fast. Look, we're not complaining, but who enjoys sweating bullets or getting a sunburn while you're chilling in your car on lunch or driving for a few hours? Exactly. No one. 

A great solution to this ever pervasive problem we enjoy here is to use window tint on our cars. Not only is it an aesthetically pleasing accessory to add to your ride, but it's an absolute necessity for everyone in the sunshine state. Here at Toyota of Orlando we're breaking down some of the many pros for getting your window tint done and some tips for getting it done right. Check it out!

Some of the Many Pros of Window Tint

Window tint is great to install on your Orlando Toyota vehicle for a variety of reasons. It may seem like an unnecessary expense, but here it's pretty necessary to have. Here are a few reasons why you should consider getting tint installed asap:

Heat Reduction

Perhaps the most obvious reason on this list is that Orlando Toyota window tint reduces the UV exposure for you and the interior of your car when installed. Less sunlight can enter the cabin through the windows and that means less heat getting trapped in your ride. Getting into your vehicle after a long day need not be so sweltering anymore. Plus this is a great way to protect your vehicle's interior from long-term sun exposure and damage. 

Added Protection in the Event of a Collision

Getting into an auto collision accident is scary and very dangerous. Other than the bent metal and broken plastic parts, one essential parts that can prove to be absolutely dangerous is the windshield and other automotive glass. These Orlando auto parts will often break and shatter upon impact, sending shards flying throughout the cabin. Need we explain further why this is so dangerous? Didn't think so. 

Believe it or not, but adding window tint to your vehicle can actually add an extra layer of protection in the event of a collision accident. The window tint acts as a protective film that can hold your windshield and other automotive glass together more effectively. This makes it less likely to shatter in the event of an accident. 

Extra Privacy

Adding some darker tones to your Orlando auto glass also gives you more privacy. If you're a car nap specialist, this should really interest you. The darker the window tint, the less likely people will be able to see into your ride and snoop while you're catching some Zs. Tint also acts as a great theft deterrent by making it more difficult to identify what valuables are lurking in your back seat. Food for thought!

Before getting your Orlando Toyota outfitted with window tint, make sure to follow a few extra steps. Make sure to have it professionally done, unless you're a seasoned pro. Window tint is difficult to install and a lot can go wrong if you're not sure what you're doing. You should also take the laws regarding window tint into account before installing. In Orlando, for example, sedans can use tint that allows more than 28% of light on front side windows and more 15% for some of the remaining. The rules are different for SUVs and vans. 

Ready to have window tint installed? Visit Toyota of Orlando today at 3575 Vineland Road!

What to do if your car overheats

 Have you ever had your vehicle overheat? It can be a pretty stressful experience and if you don't handle it correctly, an expensive one. Unfortunately, the threat of your ride overheating is all too real in the summer. We're here to help you avoid this situation - check out these quick tips on how to handle an overheated car from our expert techs at Toyota of Orlando. 

How to deal with your car overheating: Quick tips 

First things first - how do you know if your car is overheating? Here are a few telltale signs: 

• Your temperature gauge is in the red
• You see steam coming from the engine 
• You smell leaking or burnt coolant coming from the engine bay

Step #1: Pull over. You should never try to continue driving an overheating car - this can do permanent and even irreparable damage to your vehicle. If you see steam coming out of the engine or catch the temperature gauge rising, immediately find a safe place to pull over so you can let your car cool off and get to the bottom of the issue. 

Step #2: Turn off the A/C and turn on the heat. Once you're safely parked, turn off the air-conditioning and turn on the heat. It sounds weird, we know, and the last thing you want to do when it's already hot outside is turn on the heat. However, this will pull some of the heat away from the engine and help your overheating car cool down quicker. 

Step #3: Check your coolant level. After you've let things cool down for a bit, pop the hood. Note: You should never pop the hood of a car that just overheated - things are bound to be extremely hot in the engine bay and you could burn yourself. This is especially true of the radiator; DO NOT remove the radiator cap as scalding hot water could spray you. 

Once your car is cooled down, check the coolant reservoir to see if there's any fluid in it. If it's low or empty, try adding coolant or even water and see if your Orlando Toyota cools down a little. If it doesn't, you could have a leak in the system or an issue somewhere else, like with your radiator or water pump. 

Step #4: Head to a repair shop. If your car has cooled down, you can try heading to an auto repair shop (like our Orlando Toyota service center) to have expert techs take a look at the system and pinpoint the problem. However, keep an eye on the temperature gauge; if it's rising, your car could be overheating again and you need to pull over and call a tow truck to get it to where it needs to go. 

Whatever you do, don't ignore an overheating car. There's obviously an issue and the longer you let it linger, the worse damage it can do (and more money it can cost you). Let our Orlando Toyota auto service techs fix the problem and save your time, money, and sanity. 

Let Toyota of Orlando help you cool things down

Call us today - Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001 and we're conveniently located just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road. 

Toyota's Combustible Hydrogen Experiment and What it Means

 We're not sure exactly which person in history is responsible for creating the modern day fueling methods we have at our disposal. Like, who was the one that thought lighting fossil fuels on fire was a good idea. Well, whoever it was, they were definitely onto something. Lighting things on fire creates energy and energy creates power and power creates movement. 

Luckily, we no longer only have gasoline and other fossil fuels at our disposal when it comes to powering our cars. We have electricity, ethanol, and even hydrogen vehicle fueling power (thanks @ Toyota). But, what if we were to just combust hydrogen? How much power would that create? Well, someone in Toyota's engineering department solved that mystery and we at Toyota of Orlando are here to discuss it with you. Let's jump in!

Lighting Hydrogen On Fire. Great Idea!

Vehicle fueling has always been a topic of great speculation and experimentation. Fossil fuels of different varieties have always been a mainstay in automotive and they still are. But, between supply chain woes, climate change, extremely volatile pricing, and more, fossil fuels aren't the only means by which we can power our cars anymore. We have more methods of vehicle fueling at our disposal in Orlando and beyond. 

Hydrogen is one of Toyota's biggest alternative fueling achievements in recent memory. While it's take off has been a tad slow, it's a viable and great form of vehicle fueling that will likely become a big choice for drivers everywhere. We can speak all day on the magnitude of Toyota using this type of fuel, but we have our eyes focused on something a little weirder, to put it lightly. 

It's well-known that Toyota likes to engage in several extra curricular activities apart from producing some of the most critically acclaimed vehicles out there. Orlando racing competitions is something Toyota loves to do and they're not shy about sporting their passion. The latest race Toyota is entering is a 24-hour endurance race, the Super Taikyu in Fuji. The catch? Toyota is using an Orlando car powered by combustible hydrogen vehicle fueling. 

This Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus vehicle fueling stunt is truly remarkable when you think of the implications and possibilities. It means that hydrogen could be adopted gradually alongside ICE engines and the world could move toward a realistic infrastructure for hydrogen fuel cells to exist in the mainstream. But, this could also just be an exercise from Toyota. Or a "I did it to see if I could do it" type of ploy. Either way, the future of vehicle fueling looks bright and we can't wait to see what's coming!

Six ways you should be preparing your car for summer now

 Have you noticed that things seem to be heating up outside lately? Temps are rising, humidity is creeping back in, and the sun seems especially intense around midday. Summer is coming in hot (literally), and it's critical that your car is ready for the season. After all, it's a doozy here in Central Florida. Not only do we face intense heat and sun, but we also get pretty wicked thunderstorms on the regular. Toyota of Orlando's auto service techs are here with six easy car care tips on how to get your car prepped for all of the above.

Car care tips to get ready for summer  

#1: Wax your car routinely. Wax is important all year round, but it's especially critical in the summer. A quality wax will help protect your car from the intense sun and harmful UV rays that can cause fading and other damage. Detail your car and wax it regularly; our Orlando car care specialists can help you find the right products. 

#2: Take a peek under the hood. When was the last time you checked all the fluids under your hood? Your car will be working overtime in the heat, so you need to ensure that your oil, wiper fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, and brake fluid are all clean and full to ensure maximized performance. 

#3: Give your tires some TLC. Your car tires take a beating in the summer - not only is the air especially hot, but the pavement is also scorching. You want them to be in the best shape possible and also inflated to the proper PSI to ensure that they can take the heat all summer long. Have our Toyota of Orlando car care techs take a peek at them before you hit the road, especially if you're going to be driving long distances or at high speeds. 

#4: Test out your wipers. As we mentioned, summer in Orlando is notorious for wicked thunderstorms - we're talking downpours, high winds, thunder and lightning, the works. Make sure that your wiper blades are in the best condition possible so you have a clear field of vision. If they're squealing, smearing, or leaving streams, you need to shop for replacements. 

#5: Consider splurging on accessories. Now is the time to take a selfish and splurge on tint for your car. Trust us, it's worth it. Tint will help protect your interior from fading AND keep the cabin much cooler. You might also want to consider shopping our Orlando Toyota parts store for a steering wheel cover, seat covers, and a sunshade to throw up in the windshield. All will help protect your car's interior from sun damage. 

#6: Make sure your A/C is ice cold. Do it now. Like right now, so you're not stuck driving around with a broken A/C when it's scorching out this summer. Our Orlando car care experts highly recommend having your car A/C checked out before you hit the road this summer so you can stay cool all summer long. 

Toyota of Orlando can help you prep

Need to schedule car care for your ride? Call Toyota of Orlando today! Our Toyota service center is open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001. We're conveniently located at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall!