How to get spiders out of a car: Quick tips

 Whether you have just one or a whole family of spiders living in your car, your first reaction is probably one of utter disgust, and your next is probably to figure out how to get them out of there as quickly as possible. And you'd be right - it's critical to get rid of spiders in your car before they lay eggs and become an even bigger (and more expensive) problem. Toyota of Orlando is here with easy tips on how to get spiders out of your car (and save your sanity). 

Get spiders out of your car

Florida is a beautiful place to live - we've got beaches, lots of sunshine, and unfortunately, lots of spiders. And spiders love taking residence in your car because it's warm, dry, dark, and a great place to both hide from predators and lay their eggs in safety. Here's how you can get spiders out of your car and reclaim your territory. 

• Clean your car ASAP. If you have crumbs and dirt in your Orlando Toyota, you're attracting bugs. And because spiders eat bugs, you're basically hosting a buffet for them. Vacuum and wipe the interior of your vehicle and clean any stains or sticky spots from spills to discourage bugs from hanging out. Further, dig around and look for spider eggs and webs and vacuum them out, too. 
• Try spider repellant. This spray can be found at your local home improvement store (like Lowes or Home Depot); you can spray it around your car, especially in hiding spaces where you think spiders may be hanging out like under seats, your trunk, and in your glovebox or center console. 
• Spider traps may also work. These traps are sticky and emit pheromones that attract spiders, similar to roach traps. 
• Look into a chlorine bomb to set off in your car to kill all the spiders in there as a last resort. Be sure to carefully follow instructions and move through the process as safely as possible. 

If none of the above work, you may need to contact professional exterminators to give you a hand. Don't just ignore it; spiders lay eggs fast and you could end up dealing with a major infestation in no time. 

Prevent spiders in your Orlando Toyota 

The best offense is a good defense, right? Check out these Toyota of Orlando tips for KEEPING spiders out of your car in the first place. 

• Keep it clean - the less dirt and debris, the fewer bugs, which means fewer spiders. (No all-you-can-eat buffet.) 
• Keep it decluttered. Clutter provides hiding spaces for spiders, so keep your backseat, trunk, etc. clear of anything unnecessary. 
• Spritz your vehicle with essential oils. Spiders are naturally repelled by citrus, cedar, peppermint, rosemary, and lavender. Mix a few drops of oil into a spray bottle of water and spritz your vehicle - it'll also smell great. 
• Keep your doors and windows closed when you're not in your car. Also, make sure door seals, window seals, trunk seals, and sunroof seals are all in good condition. 
• Don't park next to construction sites, heavily wooded areas, or dumpsters. 

Want more tips on how to get spiders out of your car? Call Toyota of Orlando's service center experts today. We're open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001 and we're located just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall. 

Are electric cars better for the environment than other types of vehicles?

 Electric cars have been getting their fair share of attention in the media lately, and with good reason. They're eco-friendly, tech-driven, and offer a one-of-a-kind performance. However, one of the questions that we're hearing pretty often when it comes to EVs revolves around their green performance. Are electric cars really better for the environment? Toyota of Orlando is here to explain. 

Are electric cars better for the environment? Local and non-local emissions explained. 

Here's the thing - the answer isn't as cut-and-dry as most people expect. It's kind of a yes and no situation and a lot of different variables play into the answer. Basically, it all comes down to local emissions and non-local emissions. 

• Local emissions are the emissions that come out of your vehicle directly and affect the places where you drive. Internal combustion engines are guilty of this, putting out emissions every time they hit the road. Electric cars, on the other hand, run on electricity and don't use internal combustion to power themselves so they don't put out emissions. On the local emissions level, they're definitely better for the environment. 
• Non-local emissions are a different story and that's where things start to get a little bit fuzzy on whether or not electric cars are better for the environment. Your electric car runs on electricity, right? You have to use electricity to charge it. However, where your electricity comes from is where the determining factor lies. If your state or city uses fossil fuels as a power source, then technically, your car isn't emissions-free... at least not on the non-local level. If your electricity comes from solar, wind, or hydropower, then you're in better shape. 

It also comes down to the issue of batteries in electric cars. These vehicles use lithium-ion batteries to power themselves. The problem is that these batteries have to be disposed of very carefully; they can't be traditionally recycled or put into a landfill. As more and more electric cars are produced, figuring out what to do with the batteries once they're no longer viable could be a problem. 

Further, it takes a lot of energy to produce this type of battery, which can create even further emissions without you even realizing it. You really have to look at the big picture. 

If you're concerned about emissions and want to ensure that your vehicle is as clean as possible, you'll have to do your due diligence. See where your electricity is coming from before you decide on an electric car; if it comes from fossil fuels, weigh both options, and don't forget about our selection of hybrids and plug-in hybrids. 

What is Toyota's Clean Assist Program? 

And don't forget, Toyota offers the Clean Assist Program. When you charge your electric Toyota, the company will calculate the amount of electricity you're using as well as the net emissions produced by the charging process. Then, they'll generate or buy an equivalent amount of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to ensure that all of your charging activity is matched with zero-carbon electricity. 

Have more questions about whether or not electric cars are really better for the environment? Call Toyota of Orlando today - we've got answers. You can reach us at (407) 298-4500 o come see us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. 

How to get mice out of your car: A quick guide

 Have you ever had a mouse in your car? 

It's unnerving, to say the least. As cute as mice can be, it's weird to think of them running around your Orlando Toyota unattended. And when you factor in the majorly expensive damage they can do to your car, they suddenly become a lot less cute. But how do you get mice out of a car, and how do you keep them out? Toyota of Orlando's auto care experts are here with answers. 

Why you need to get mice out of your car

Even if your car is just sitting in the garage collecting dust while you try to find the time to fix or restore it, you still don't want mice running around in it. They can do damage like: 

• Chewing through wiring, thus damaging electronics or your electrical system as a whole. Modern-day wiring insulation is soy-based, which is pretty much irresistible to mice. 
• Chewing on your carper, your seats, or the foam in the seats, leaving you with unsightly and costly repairs. 
• Leaving harmful droppings throughout the car, which is dangerous for you (and also disgusting). 

Needless to say, all of the above is damage you could do without. Electrical wiring damage could run you thousands of dollars in repairs. Your car insurance may cover the damage under the comprehensive policy, but you're still going to have to at least pay the deductible. 

Mice love to live in cars because they're warm and dry, they're a safe place to build a nest, and they're a great place to hide from predators. Here are some giveaway signs you've got a rodent problem in your vehicle: 

• You see mouse droppings or a mouse nest (be sure to check under the hood, too) 
• You smell a musty odor (or you smell mouse droppings) 
• You notice chew or puncture marks on your seats or chewing on your carpet 
• Your electronics stop working or your car won't start 
• You find a dead mouse in your vehicle or in your engine bay 

How to get mice out of your car

So once you've deciphered that you have a rodent in your car, it's time to figure out how to get mice OUT of your car. Here are some top tips: 

• Turn on the heat and park your car in direct sunlight. Mice, like humans, don't like extreme temperatures so if you turn up the heat, you may be able to force them out of the car. 
• Look for the nest and remove it from the car so they don't have a place to call home. 
• Honk your horn. Mice also don't like loud noises and might evacuate if you annoy them enough. 
• Visit your local home improvement store (like Home Depot or Lowes) and look for mice repellant. If you want to go the natural route, peppermint oil is a deterrent. You can soak cotton balls in it and put them throughout your car. (Bonus: your car will smell like Christmas.) 
• Lay down mousetraps. Sticky traps will catch mice so you can remove them from the car yourself. You can find them at home improvement stores. 

How to keep mice out of your car

Once you've gotten the mice out of your car, it's time to prevent them from ever coming back. Here are some Orlando Toyota tips for keeping mice out of your car: 

• Keep your windows and doors closed when you're not in the car. 
• Park inside of a closed garage if you can. 
• Don't park near food sources like bird feeders, trash cans, or dumpsters. 
• Keep your car clean - if you have crumbs and spills all over, it's like a buffet for mice. 

Want more tips on how to get pests out of your car? Toyota of Orlando - as always - is more than happy to oblige. Call us today at (407) 298-4500 or stop by. We're located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road. 

What You Need to Know About Your Electric Car Charging Time

 

Can you tell us how long it takes to charge an electric car? If you’re looking into purchasing an  Orlando Toyota electric vehicle we suggest that you stay researching for the best fit for you. When going green, we at Toyota of Orlando, hear many questions regarding the market. However, one of the most frequent questions is about the difference between gas and electric-powered engines. You may be thinking, even though electric cars are eco-friendly and are usually cheaper to operate than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, is it worth it? Here is a breakdown of electric car charging time, charger types, and the basics of what you need to know about electric car charge time from Toyota of Orlando.

Electric Car Charging Time Can Depend on The Type of Car You Have

There are a few factors that come into electric car charging. This can be attributed to many things. Our Orando specialist will break it down by levels:

• Level one chargers - These Orlando vehicles are standard 120-volt chargers. In essence, this means you can plug your car into an outlet of any type including a household outlet. Providing it is three prongs and has enough power to run your car, this will work. Orlando Toyota includes these charging cables that can be used wherever you go. This element can be very helpful during long trips. Unfortunately, this method is the slowest for your Orlando eclectic car charging time, although the most convenient way to charge an electric car. Even though it may be convenient, it can take days before the battery is fully charged. It is ideal for Orlando Toyota plug-in hybrids for short-distance drivers because of its convenience.

 

• Level two chargers - The changes in your electric charge time may be greater but might be worth it with the more powerful charging power at 240 volts. Electric car charging time stations like these are also the most common types you'll find. In order for your car to obtain a full charge from this type of charger, you will need to leave it plugged in overnight (a full charge can take up to ten hours). For convenience, installing this type of charger at home is highly recommended if you are considering an electric Orlando Toyota.

 

• Level three chargers - These Orlando Toyota electric chagring times can vary. Specifically, these types are also known as DC (direct current) fast chargers. This type of charging station can't be installed at your home - it's only available at public stations - but it's the fastest way to recharge your electric Toyota. The typical electric car charging time can be from 20-60 minutes at these types of stations, depending on the vehicle, to get to 80% of their capacity.

Keep in mind that electric charge time range anxiety can be overcome with the right EV range tools. With a home electric charging time station, you can find apps that you will be able to use to locate charging stations near you. You also can forget worrying about running out of charge since you know where to charging station will be located and plan accordingly. It’s possible to monitor your EV charge by using the Toyota app and the multi-information display, and the Orlando Toyota Prius is a great example of this function.

Understand Exactly How to Manage Your Electric Car Charging Time With the Help of Toyota of Orlando

Questions about any Orlando car or electric car charging time? Get in touch with us today. Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500 and you can stop by and see us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall.