Sunroofs vs Moonroofs: What you need to know

 When you're shopping for a new Toyota at Toyota of Orlando, you're going to have tons of options to sift through (sorry not sorry). Model, trim, color, engine, size... it's a lot, we know, but we're adding one more to the list - whether or not to have a moonroof. Or is it a sunroof? Today we're talking about these two different features and explaining the differences. 

What's the difference between sunroofs and moonroofs? 

Most people use sunroof and moonroof interchangeably, but they're actually two different features on a vehicle. Here's the breakdown: 

Sunroofs are panels in a vehicle's roof that can be tilted, slid, or removed altogether to let the sunshine into the vehicle. Note: They used to be entirely opaque, i.e. not made of glass. 

Moonroofs, on the other hand, are technically a type of sunroof. They're also a panel on a vehicle's roof that can be tilted or slid to open, but they're always made of glass and are not removable. Some may be tinted to help diffuse the light coming into the cabin, and they usually have a sliding shade accompanying them so light can be blocked out completely. 

And we're throwing one more option into the mix at Toyota of Orlando - panoramic roofs. Panoramic roofs are a type of sunroof that spans the entire length of the car's roof, letting light into the front and back seats. They're made of glass (sometimes tinted) and are sometimes fixed, sometimes able to be slid open. They're new to the game and have only become popular in the past five years or so. 

So should you opt for a sunroof, moonroof, or panoramic roof on your next Orlando Toyota? Here are the pros and cons you should consider before signing the dotted line. 

Pros of a sunroof or moonroof 

• You can let sunshine and fresh air into your car whenever you want and you don't have to completely remove the roof like you would in a convertible. 
• They're easier to operate than a hardtop convertible - you just press one button and the moonroof slides open and close with ease (and with no manual labor on your part). 
• They're safer than canvas top convertibles. Cars with canvas roofs are dangerous in accidents, and additionally, the canvas can be cut if thieves want access to the car. 

Cons of a sunroof or moonroof 

• One con of sunroofs and moonroofs is possible clogs in the drainage system. If you regularly park under trees, they can drip water that can grow algae and clog the drainage system. But good news - our Orlando Toyota service specialists can unclog and clean the lines for you). 
• One other con of sunroofs is leaking. If your sunroof or moonroof is factory-installed, the chances of it leaking are low. But if you put in an aftermarket one, you're definitely more likely to have one. 

Ready to see which one is right for you in person? Call Toyota of Orlando today at (407) 298-4500 or stop by and see us. We're just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road! 

Toyota safety tips for driving in a tornado

Bad weather is pretty much a way of life here in Central Florida during the summer months. If it's not scorching hot outside, then it's storming. Honestly, the afternoon squalls we see are just as intimidating as a tropical storm and with them bring the possibility of a tornado. Do you know how to react in this particular bad weather situation if you're behind the wheel? Check out these Toyota of Orlando tips on how to tackle driving in a tornado.

Executive Summary: 

• Tornadoes can develop quickly, so staying aware of weather alerts and knowing where to seek shelter before you hit the road can make a big difference.
• If a tornado warning is issued while you’re driving, your best move is to safely get off the road and take shelter inside a sturdy building, preferably in an interior room on the lowest level.
• If you can’t reach a sturdy building, a low-lying area or your vehicle may be last-resort options. Either way, get low and protect your head and neck from flying debris.
• Never shelter underneath a bridge or overpass, and don’t try to outrun a tornado. Tornadoes can change direction quickly, and heavy rain, hail, traffic, and debris can make driving even more dangerous.
• A little preparation goes a long way! Keep your Orlando Toyota ready for severe weather with good tires and windshield wipers, an adequately filled gas tank, and an emergency kit with essentials like a flashlight, phone charger, water, blanket, and sturdy shoes.

Tornadoes can develop quickly, which is why knowing what to do before severe weather hits is so important. This is especially true if you spend a lot of time behind the wheel around Orlando and Central Florida. A little preparation and knowing where to seek shelter can make a big difference if a tornado warning is issued while you're on the road. Let’s get into it! 

Quick tips for driving in a tornado

• Pay attention to weather alerts and tornado warnings before and during your drive.
• If a tornado is approaching, your best option is to get off the road and into a sturdy building as quickly and safely as possible.
• If you can't reach a sturdy shelter, getting low and protecting your head and neck are priorities.
• Your vehicle or a low-lying area should only be considered last-resort options when you can't safely reach a sturdy building.
• Never stop underneath an overpass or bridge to shelter from a tornado.

Driving in a tornado: How to spot that one is coming

The first thing to know about driving in a tornado is how to spot that one is about to happen. You should get warnings via your radio and your smartphone, but it's helpful to know how to tell if a tornado is imminent. Here are some surefire signs that you should take cover:

• The sky is turning a dark yellow-green color
• You feel an uneasy quiet or stillness all of a sudden in the middle of the storm - this is especially telling if you were just driving through hail or heavy rain and it stops all of a sudden
• A loud roaring noise reminiscent of a vacuum cleaner or a train
• You see debris falling around you or a cloud of debris in the distance at ground-level
• You actually see a rotating funnel extending down out of a cloud

However, don't wait until you can actually see a tornado before taking action. Heavy rain, trees, buildings, and darkness can make a tornado difficult or impossible to see. The National Weather Service recommends staying tuned to local news or NOAA Weather Radio and acting quickly when a tornado warning is issued.

It's also smart to keep Wireless Emergency Alerts enabled on your phone when you're on the road. Before heading out when severe weather is in the forecast, take a quick look at conditions and any active watches or warnings. If storms are already getting rough, delaying your trip until they pass may be the easiest and safest choice.

So what should you do if you do find yourself driving in a tornado? Check out these Orlando Toyota safety tips for this precarious situation.

Three Orlando Toyota safety tips for driving in a tornado

#1: Look for a way to get OFF the road. If you know you're about to be driving in a tornado, get OFF the road. Seek shelter in the nearest sturdy building; remember to head for an interior room on the lowest level, stay away from windows, and cover your head. Stay sheltered until the weather passes and the warning has ended.

A sturdy building is your best choice when you're caught driving in a tornado. The National Weather Service specifically recommends that drivers get to the closest safe shelter whenever possible rather than trying to ride out the tornado inside a vehicle.

And don't try to race a tornado to get home. If there's a safe building close by, use it. Tornadoes can change direction, and heavy rain, hail, traffic, and debris can make it difficult to safely navigate the road. If you're already close to the storm, your focus should be on finding safe shelter rather than trying to outrun it.

#2: Try to find a low-lying area for shelter. If you're in an area where you can't shelter in a building and you can safely get to an area noticeably lower than the roadway, a ditch or ravine may be a last-resort option. Once you're there, lie down in the low-lying area and cover your head and neck with your hands. Keep away from vehicles, trees, and other objects that could be blown or rolled toward you.

Keep in mind that there's no completely safe outdoor location during a tornado. A low-lying area is a last resort if you can't reach a sturdy shelter, and conditions like flooding can create additional dangers. Your first goal should always be to get inside a secure building if you have enough time to do so safely.

#3: Stay in your car if you have no safer option. If you can't find shelter and getting to a low-lying area isn't safe or practical, staying in your car may be your last resort. Put your seatbelt on, pull over safely out of traffic, and put the car in park. Try to hunch down so you're below the window line and cover your head and neck with your hands and anything soft you have in the car, like a blanket, coat, or jacket. Try to stop away from trees, power lines, and other objects that could fall or become dangerous debris.

The National Weather Service notes that both staying in a vehicle and taking cover in a low-lying area are last-resort options and that your choice depends on the specific circumstances around you. Neither is as safe as getting inside a sturdy building, basement, or designated safe room.

What NOT to do when driving in a tornado

And remember, you should NEVER try to shelter under a bridge or overpass while driving in a tornado. It may look like the structure offers protection, but it doesn't provide adequate shelter from tornado winds or flying debris. Stopping there can also block traffic and put other drivers in danger. The National Weather Service specifically lists vehicles and highway overpasses among the worst shelter options during a tornado.

You also shouldn't stop beneath a tree or park next to objects that could easily fall or be picked up by high winds. Tornado debris can be extremely dangerous, so keeping as much distance as possible between yourself and trees, signs, power lines, and other large objects is a good idea.

Finally, don't depend solely on being able to see the tornado. If your phone or local weather station issues a tornado warning for your location, take it seriously and start looking for safe shelter right away.

Prep your Orlando Toyota for severe weather

You can't control when bad weather shows up, but you can make sure your Toyota is ready when it does. Keep your gas tank adequately filled, make sure your tires are in good condition, and replace worn windshield wipers so you have the best possible visibility during heavy rain.

It's also a good idea to keep a small emergency kit inside your vehicle. A flashlight, portable phone charger, first-aid supplies, bottled water, blanket, and sturdy shoes can all come in handy during severe weather. Keeping a blanket or jacket in the car can also give you an extra layer of protection for your head and neck if you're ever forced to shelter inside the vehicle as a last resort.

Most importantly, keep an eye on the weather before you leave. If Central Florida is under a tornado watch or severe thunderstorms are headed toward your route, consider whether your trip can wait. Avoiding driving in a tornado altogether is always preferable to having to figure out where to shelter once you're already on the road.

Get Your Car Ready for Severe Weather at Toyota of Orlando 

Have questions about driving in a tornado, need tips for driving in bad weather, or want to get your car prepped and ready for severe weather? Call us! Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500. You can also visit us seven days a week at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.

FAQs about driving in a tornado

Should you stay in your car during a tornado?

A sturdy building is the safer option. If you can't reach one, the National Weather Service says last-resort options may include getting low inside your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened and your head protected or, depending on the circumstances, getting to a noticeably lower area away from the roadway and vehicles.

Should you drive away from a tornado?

Your priority should be getting to the closest sturdy shelter rather than trying to outrun a tornado. Tornadoes can move unpredictably, while rain, hail, debris, and traffic can make driving dangerous. Never put yourself or other drivers at risk by speeding or making unsafe maneuvers to escape the storm.

Is it safe to park under an overpass during a tornado?

No. You should never use a highway overpass or bridge as tornado shelter. It doesn't provide adequate protection from powerful winds and flying debris, and stopping underneath one can block traffic and create additional hazards for everyone on the road.

Car care for your backseat: How to protect your interior from pets

 If you like to take your pets along with you when you hit the road, you're definitely not the only one out there. According to the American Automobile Association, more than 80% of dog owners bring their four-legged friends along for the ride when they drive. And there are approximately 43 million households with pets in the U.S. alone, so you can imagine just how many pups are out there living their best lives in the backseat. 

However, bringing your dog with you on road trips and around town can do a number on your car's interior, specifically in the backseat (because as we've said before, it's not safe to have a dog in the front of your Orlando Toyota). We're here with easy and affordable car care tips to help you protect the interior of your vehicle from your pets - check them out, and shop the Toyota of Orlando parts department today. 

Five car care tips for protecting your Orlando Toyota's interior 

#1: Seat covers or better yet, a hammock. When you drive with your pet in the backseat, their claws can do a number on the seat, floor, and anything else they come in contact with. Invest in some quality fabric seat covers for your backseat or spring for a pet hammock. Pet hammocks are sort of like a sling that attaches to the backseat and the back of the front seats, leaving a space for your dog to sit. Not only will it protect your seats, but it'll also prevent your dog from climbing into the front seat with you. 

#2: Cargo area mats. If you have your pups ride in the cargo area of the car, the same lesson applies. Our Orlando car care experts recommend buying cargo area mats or a cargo area cover to protect not only the floor but also the sides of the cargo area where your dog's nails can scratch the plastic. 

#3: Door protectors. It's important to protect the seats in your car, but it's also critical to protect your car doors. Your pets will likely want to put their feet up on the interior of the doors to be able to see out the window, and their nails can quickly damage things. Door protectors will prevent this from happening altogether and save you a ton of money in the long run. 

#4: Booster seat. Did you know they have actually created booster seats for dogs for the car? They attach to the seat and actually have a safety restraint for your pet so should you get into an accident, they aren't seriously injured or ejected from the car (think of a seatbelt for a human). 

#5: Nail clippers. Finally, one last way to protect your car's interior from your pets is to keep your pets' nails trimmed short. The longer they are, the more likely you are to suffer scratches on your interior. Get their nails trimmed routinely and also get routine groomings done - this will cut down on dog hair in the backseat, too. 

Shop for pet car care accessories today at Toyota of Orlando 

Have questions about protecting your car's interior from pets? Or maybe you want to shop for accessories to help with this aspect of car care. Either way, call Toyota of Orlando today. We're open seven days a week at 3575 Vineland Road and you can call us at (407) 298-0001. 

The car chip shortage and vehicle shortage: What you need to know

 If you've been shopping for a car lately, you know that vehicles are in high demand and short supply. Finding the right car takes a little more legwork than it used to, and you may even find yourself having to preorder it and wait for it to be delivered. Toyota of Orlando is here to explain the car chip shortage and subsequent vehicle shortage, why they're happening, and what it means for you and your next Toyota. 

First, let's talk about the car chip shortage. 

The car chip shortage can be blamed on COVID (like so many other things). Basically, car chips are tiny semiconductors or microchips and they serve as the brain of all modern electronics (they're basically used in everything, which means they're in high demand all the time). Here's what happened: 

• These chips may be tiny, but they're pretty complex at even the most basic level and take anywhere from 12-20 weeks to build just one. On top of that, there are only a handful of plants that produce them (and opening new plants isn't an easy solution - it takes years and billions of dollars to open even one). 
• Modern cars use quite a few car chips to run all of the high-tech features we love for entertainment, convenience, safety, and more. That means they're especially in high demand in the automotive industry. 
• COVID-19 caused shutdowns and quarantines, which means it not only closed the plants that make these car chips, but also delayed shipping on a global level. This set back volume production and also meant it took much longer to get the chips shipped and delivered. 
• On top of that, COVID threw automakers for a loop. When shutdowns and quarantines hit hard in March of 2020, automakers predicted that demand for cars would drop. This means they produced fewer vehicles and also ordered fewer car chips. However, the drop in demand was temporary and shot back up pretty quickly, leaving automakers short on both cars AND car chips (and the car chip industry struggling to meet demands). 

So, when will the car chip shortage be over? The answer - unfortunately - isn't really clear. Some are predicting that by the end of 2022 the industry will be able to normalize and get back to where it was; others are saying it won't be back to normal until 2023. We really don't know when it'll all be back to normal but here's what we do know at Toyota of Orlando: 

• We still have trucks full of new Toyotas arriving every single day so even if you don't see what you want on our lot, it might be on its way. 
• You can see ALL of our inventory online, even the cars that are in-transit and on their way to the dealership. 
• If you can't find what you want, our sales specialists can help you find it. Just pop by, sit down with them, and they can order you what you need. 

Find your next new Toyota at Toyota of Orlando 

Don't let the vehicle shortage or the car chip shortage stress you out - call Toyota of Orlando today and let us help you find the right car for you! We're open seven days a week until 10pm at (407) 298-4500. You can also drop in at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. 

What you should do if something gets stuck underneath your car: Toyota of Orlando tips

 Getting something stuck under your car while you're driving may seem like it's no big deal, but in reality, it can actually do a fair amount of damage to the underside of your Orlando Toyota and leave you with a hefty repair bill in hand. However, this roadside car emergency does happen from time to time and it's important to know how to handle it. Check out these expert tips from Toyota of Orlando's auto service techs on what to do in this car emergency. 

Do you know what to do if something gets stuck under your car? 

Believe it or not, it's relatively easy to get things stuck underneath your car. Here are some of the most common situations we see at our Orlando Toyota service center: 

• Kids kicking sports balls or other toys underneath the car 
• Road debris or trash getting lodged underneath the car while driving, like plastic bags or debris from an accident or construction
• A skid plate, aerodynamic covering, or heat protection covering coming loose and hanging down to drag on the ground 

Steps to take in this car emergency

Regardless of what it is, it can be stressful to deal with and can also damage parts underneath your car, so it's important to know what to do should any of the above become stuck. Here are some quick step-by-step instructions from Toyota of Orlando's techs: 

Step 1: Pull over and park. First things first - get off the road. Find a safe place to park your car so you can see what's going on. A parking lot is preferable, but if that's not possible then you'll want to find a spot on the side of the road that's flat, free of sand and mud, and far away from passing traffic. Turn your car off, pull your emergency brake, and turn your hazard lights on before you get out to inspect. 

Step 2: Try to figure out what's under there. Next, take a look under your car to see what's going on. Stay away from the passing cars as much as possible and try not to crawl under the car if you can help it. It's a good idea to keep a flashlight in your car for this very reason, especially if you have this car emergency at night. 

Step 3: See if it's possible to remove it. Can you remove what's stuck under your car? If it doesn't come free easily, don't try to rip it out - you could do more harm than good. If there's a sports ball stuck under your car, try to deflate it before you pull it out to avoid damage. If it seems like whatever's stuck isn't going to come free or it's a car part that's hanging down, it's in your best interest to call for help. 

Step 4: Visit the Toyota of Orlando service center. It's always a good idea to visit our Orlando Toyota service center after you get debris stuck under your car, especially if you notice a leak, an odd smell, or anything else out of the ordinary. Our techs can inspect the underside of your vehicle to ensure no damage was done. 

Need auto service today? Call us! Toyota of Orlando's car care center is open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001 and we're conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road.