What you need to know about blind spots: Orlando Toyota tips

 Blind spots. Every car has them, which means every car has the potential to get into a car accident because of them. However, Toyota of Orlando is here to help (as always). We've got a quick guide to blind spots to help you identify, prevent, and work with these road safety hazards no matter what type of car you drive. See what our driving experts have to say about it! 

What are blind spots in your Orlando Toyota? 

First, let's talk about what blind spots are. Basically, they're just what they sound like - spots around your car in which you're blind (aka you can't see them, so you don't know what's in those spots). Here's the bad news: every single car has blind spots regardless of the make, model, or body style. They typically occur because of elements like pillars in the car's design, your rearview mirror, seat headrests, and overpacked cargo areas. Some vehicles are worse than others, but there's really no escaping blind spots, which means it's doubly important to know how to spot, check, and avoid them. 

Why? Because they cause car accidents. If you don't check your blind spot before moving your vehicle or changing lanes and there's something in it, you're likely to collide with that car, object, or person. One of the most common car accidents we see at Toyota of Orlando because of blind spots is when a person goes to change lanes while in motion and another car is in their blind spot - they don't check, and when they change lanes they collide with the other car. See what we mean? 

How to check blind spots safely 

So how do you check your blind spots? Basically, just look to see if there's anything in them. You will have to use your blind spot mirrors or monitors and likely physically turn to check them, but you should try to do it as quickly and safely as possible. Don't take your hands off the steering wheel, and don't turn for too long - you want to get your eyes back on the road as fast as you can. 

Luckily, there are also ways to minimize blind spots in your car. Here are some Orlando Toyota tips: 

• Never stack cargo to the ceiling of your vehicle. You should be able to see clearly out the back window using your rearview mirror. 
• Adjust your mirrors. Your rearview mirror should give you a view straight out the back of your car, while the side mirrors should be straight back and tilted inward slightly (so you can see the side of the car). And don't forget, if you move your seat at all, you'll need to readjust your mirrors accordingly. 
• Look into tech like blind spot monitors. This Toyota safety feature alerts you to objects in your car's blind spots with flashing lights and a beeping noise so you know it's not safe to change lanes or turn in that direction. 
• Buy blind spot mirrors. You can actually pick these up at the Toyota of Orlando parts store. They're small mirrors that you affix to your existing side mirrors; they give you a wider view so you can see your blind spots without having to turn your body. 

Need help finding the right features to beat blind spots or have more questions? Call Toyota of Orlando today - we're 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.