What should you do after you hit a parked car?

Driving an Orlando Toyota makes you actively try to be the best driver you can be on the road. However, although you try your best, sometimes things don’t go as planned, and your Orlando Toyota accidentally hit a parked car. You might not know what to do if you have not been in this situation (which hopefully you haven’t). The good news is, here at Toyota of Orlando, our experts want to prepare you with real-life car scenarios. So, you’ll get through a stressful situation in the least stressful way possible in your Orlando Toyota. 

Here are the steps to take 

Step 1. Wait for the owner

Did you know that if you leave the scene of a car hit you cause, you can be found guilty of a hit and run, and up to six points can be added to your driver’s record? So, if you hit a parked car, please do not leave the scene, even if there is no damage. I promise it won’t be as bad as you think, and you’ll get through it. 

What you want to do is wait by the car for a reasonable amount of time. In the meantime, while you’re waiting, document as much as you possibly can. 

Here are some suggestions. 

• The make, model, color of the other car

• The time, date, and location of the accident

• Write down what caused the accident in detail

• The names and contact information of witnesses involved

Make sure to take pictures and keep calm. I promise everything will be ok. Then, if it’s been a reasonable amount of time, go ahead and leave them a note under their windshield wiper and walk into the stores or businesses nearby and ask if they would notify their customers about what happened.

Step 2. What to write in the note

You might not know what information is necessary to write on the note you’ll place on their car. Here is a cheat sheet: 

• Your name

• Contact information

• Auto insurance policy information

• An explanation of what happened

This allows you to leave the scene legally and it is up to the owner of the car to contact you back to resolve the situation further. 

Step 3. Call the police

If there is significant damage to the car, go ahead and call the police so you can get a police report and presence. Many states require this since it’s difficult for the average person to estimate the damage. 

Step 4. Contact your insurance company

Once everything is settled, and you leave the scene, you need to contact your insurance company and notify them of what happened. If you don’t do this, they can refuse the claim. Your property damage liability clause should cover the damage to the other vehicle, while collision insurance coverage will cover your Orlando Toyota car cost. 

Toyota of Orlando can help you take care of your auto repairs after an accident! 

Come into our dealership and our trusted service autos will take care of you. Call (407) 298-0001 to schedule an appointment. We’re located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. 

Your Car Care List For The New Year

It’s a new year, and that allows you to start on a fresh, clean slate. This year you want to set the intention of doing better, whether that’s checking things off your bucket list or taking care of your car. Here at Toyota of Orlando, we want the best for you, and that’s why we’ve formulated a car care list for the new year so that you can drive your Orlando Toyota in its best shape. 

So, here are #8 car care tips for the new year. 

Keep an emergency kit. 

Be ready for anything! Staying prepared can alleviate some of the inconveniences that life brings us. This is why keeping an emergency kit in your car is a must. Here’s what our expert techs recommend to pack: jumper cables, car care tool kit, flashlight, batteries, compass, duct tape, water, first aid kit, and nonperishable foods.

Learn how to Jump-start your car

The new year calls for learning something new as well. What’s a better way than to learn how to Jump-start your car? This is especially essential if you don’t go in for routine maintenance checks. It is inconvenient to be stuck stranded with a dead car battery and have no idea what to do. 

Take care of your tires.

Good tires are a necessity for the car care of your Orlando Toyota. Signs you need to get your tires looked at could be that your tire pressure has been low shortly after you filled them up with air. It’s not fun getting a punctured tire, but making sure to get your tires replaced quickly and efficiently will save you money from having to replace the entire tire if you choose to ignore it. So, learn how to fix a punctured tire and change a flat tire this year! 

Schedule routine car maintenance.

Come into Toyota of Orlando’s service center to complete your routine car maintenance. This can seem like a tedious process, but you can get all of your minor problems fixed before they develop into significant issues. Our service technicians work exceptionally efficiently and get the job done correctly. 

Keep your car road-trip-ready.

A new year calls for new road trip plans. Drive your car to Toyota of Orlando, so we can make sure your Orlando Toyota is road trip ready by checking your engine, fluids, brakes, and more! It’s super easy to schedule service appointments. Just go online or call (352) 404-7001. 

Stay clean with a routine!

Set up a cleaning schedule with you and your car. For example, if you didn’t shower daily, you would be smelly and dirty, and with your Orlando Toyota, it’s the same! So don’t slack this year and schedule to vacuum, wipe down, and organize your car at the end of every month. If you do not want to do it yourself, stop by our dealership. We got the rest. 

Don’t ignore anything.

Just how we’re not ignoring red flags this year, that includes our cars. If your dashboard tells you something is funky with your car, listen to it. 

Everything that has to do with a gas can!

A very underrated Orlando Toyota car care tip is to learn how to fill and transport a gas can. This knowledge becomes helpful if you ever run into a situation where you’re stranded far from a gas station with an empty tank of gas. Of course, there’s also learning how to transport the gas safely and securely. 

Set up a service appointment at Toyota of Orlando today! 

You can set up an appointment by calling us at (352) 404-7001 or set up an appointment through our online service appointment website. We’re located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.

Which type of floor mats should you buy for your new car?

Are you in the market for floor mats? Whether you're decking your new ride or replacing worn mats in your current vehicle, floor mats are a critical part of keeping your car in the best shape possible. They're also a great way to add a little bit of customization and personality to your ride. However, which type of floor mats is best for your needs? Our Orlando Toyota parts experts are here with tips to help you narrow the selection. 

Why you need floor mats in the first place 

First, let's talk about why it's important to install or replace your floor mats. Here are the two main reasons our Orlando Toyota parts specialists recommend this car accessory: 

1. They protect your car. Spills, crumbs, dirt, sand, mud - they're all inevitable unless you leave your car sitting in the garage like it's in a museum. Floor mats provide a barrier between all of the elements and the floor of your car, and you can take them out to clean them and spot treat stains (unlike your car's interior carpeting). This means you can go longer in between car detailings and also keep your car's resale value as high as possible so when you sell it down the road, you get more bang for your buck. 

2. They're an easy and affordable way to customize your car. You can go crazy with parts and accessories, but you also have to have the time and money to do it. If you're on a budget or tight on time, floor mats are a great way to add a little personal touch to your new (or current) car. 

Carpet mats vs. all-weather mats: Which is better? 

OK, so now to the nitty-gritty - should you go for carpet mats or all-weather mats? There's a big difference between the two, but both of them have perks, so we got the breakdown from our Toyota of Orlando parts experts to help you better decide. 

Carpet floor mats: 

• Cost a bit less than all-weather but will need to be replaced sooner 
• Usually made of tough material like Berber to withstand wear and tear 
• Come in tons of options including different sizes, colors, textures, and are available either through OEM or aftermarket sellers 

All-weather floor mats: 

• Cost a bit more but have an extremely long life 
• Made of rubber or other synthetic materials that repel liquids 
• Laser cut with special grooves to hold liquid, dirt, crumbs, etc. in place 
• Can be taken out of your car and shaken or even rinsed off to get them clean 

As you can see, both have their perks and it really just depends on what YOU need out of your drive time. We sell both Toyota and aftermarket floor mats at Toyota of Orlando, and our parts staff is here to help you find the perfect set for your car. 

Why wait? Shop now online OR in person at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. You can call with questions at (407) 298-0001 today!