If you've ever hit the road and then smelled something burning inside the cabin of your car, you know how stressful it can be. No one likes to smell that particular odor - no matter what's causing it specifically, you know that it's nothing good. Toyota of Orlando's car repair experts are here to help you figure out what's causing that burning smell in your car - read on!
Four burning smells and what they mean for your car
Burning carpet: A burning carpet smell usually indicates that something is up with your brakes. Typically, you'll smell this odor when your brake pads or rotors are overheating (especially if you smell it as you press the brake). Over time, this can prematurely wear your brake pads out as well as cause expensive damage to your rotors. The cause of this? You may have calipers that are sticking, or your brake pads may be too worn down and thin. Bring your car to our car repair center at Toyota of Orlando to have your brakes checked!
Burning oil: A smell that reeks of burning oil or smoke is probably just that - you could have an oil leak in your car, which is leaking onto the engine or other hot components and causing that terrible smell. Don't just ignore it; not only can an oil leak cause your engine to overheat, but other major problems, too. Leaking oil can damage the timing belt or crankshaft seal, and if it hits the exhaust, it can cause a fire. All in all, it could kill your engine, so get it addressed at Toyota of Orlando.
Burning rubber: If you smell burning rubber inside the cabin of your car, it's time to bring it to our Orlando car repair center. This odor indicates that you have an issue with something rubber under the hood. It could be a slipping engine belt or a hose that's touched something hot and is starting to melt. Whatever it is, it can do major damage to your engine if left unattended, so don't risk it. Let our techs take a look to see what the issue is.
Burning plastic: Burning plastic is a pretty alarming smell in its own right, but especially when you smell it inside your Orlando Toyota. This smell can indicate that you've got an issue with your car's wiring - the plastic insulation around it has worn down or been chewed off (mice love it). This means you have exposed wires under your hood, which could touch, cause a spark, and set a fire. However, before you come into Toyota of Orlando, pull over and ensure that you don't have a plastic bag stuck in your exhaust that's melting from the heat.
Let Toyota of Orlando take care of your car repairs today
Have questions about burning smells in your car? Call us today! Toyota of Orlando's car repair 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.
Do you play the "how often should I" game with yourself when it comes to adulting? How often should you refinance your house? How often should you replace the filter in your water pitcher? How often should you order takeout instead of cooking? The guessing games can be exhausting, and we want to pitch in where we can - your car care. Check out this quick guide from the experts at Toyota of Orlando on how often you should take care of your vehicle's maintenance.
How often should you take care of certain types of car care?
How often should I check my oil?
You should check your oil at least once a month to make sure it's clean and that your car has enough of it. We also recommend this bit of car care before you take a long road trip or drive for extended periods of time to make sure your car can keep up with it.
How often should I get oil changes?
Your oil change schedule depends on two things: what type of motor oil you're using, and what your owner's manual recommends. If you're using conventional motor oil, you'll need to schedule this car care at Toyota of Orlando every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If you're using synthetic oil, you usually can go anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Let our car care techs get you on a schedule!
How often should I check my tire pressure?
You should check your car's tire pressure every 2-4 weeks and do a visible inspection every day when you get in your car (just take a lap and make sure none of them look like they have low pressure). Additionally, check each tire with a pressure gauge before you take any road trips.
How often should I get tires rotated?
This is an easy one - your tire rotations should be scheduled every 5,000 miles. This will help promote even wear on your tires and ensure you don't have to replace them as often, as well as ensure a better performance for you.
How often should I get brake service?
You should get brake service every 20,000 miles or so. However, it's a good idea to have your brakes inspected at our Orlando car care center every six months (or every time you come in for a tire rotation) to ensure your brake pads, rotors, and the rest of the system are in good shape.
How often should I get a multi-point inspection?
As often as you can! Here's the good news, too - when you visit Toyota of Orlando, you get a complimentary multi-point inspection every single time you visit us. This will allow our techs to troubleshoot and look for issues before they become big and expensive to fix.
How often should I get a tune-up?
There's no straight answer for this one - it really depends on your car's make and model. Typically, new cars with electronic ignitions don't need them very often at all. Older cars, however, need them around every 45,000 - 50,000 miles to ensure everything runs as it should.
Schedule your routine car care at Toyota of Orlando
Have questions about your car care? Toyota of Orlando has answers. Call us today at (407) 298-0001 or stop by 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.
You've got a lot to think about when it comes to the fluids in your car. Do you need to change the oil? Is the coolant too dirty to do its job? Is your windshield wiper fluid low? It can be overwhelming to keep track of (just saying, we can help you at Toyota of Orlando by getting you on a schedule for your car care and reminding you when you're due). However, we're adding one more thing to your list: gasoline.
Executive Summary
Gasoline does go bad over time, with regular gasoline typically lasting 3–6 months, ethanol-blended fuel degrading in as little as 1–3 months, and diesel lasting up to one year under proper storage conditions.
Degraded fuel can negatively impact vehicle performance, causing hard starts, rough idling, poor acceleration, reduced fuel economy, engine stalling, and even damage to fuel system components like injectors, filters, and fuel pumps.
Gasoline deteriorates due to oxidation, evaporation, and moisture contamination, especially in hot climates like Florida. Ethanol-blended fuels are particularly vulnerable because they absorb water from the atmosphere.
Vehicles that sit for long periods are most at risk, including seasonal vehicles, classic cars, RVs, motorcycles, boats, and cars driven infrequently. Warning signs of bad gas include difficulty starting, sluggish performance, check engine lights, and changes in fuel appearance or smell.
Prevention is simple and cost-effective: drive your vehicle regularly, use fresh fuel from busy gas stations, keep your fuel tank reasonably full, consider a fuel stabilizer for long-term storage, and follow your Toyota's recommended maintenance schedule. Toyota of Orlando can diagnose and resolve fuel-related issues if bad gasoline is suspected.
Does gasoline go bad?
It's a question many drivers ask, believe it or not, especially if they have a car that sits for long periods of time. The short answer is yes. Gasoline does go bad. Whether it's sitting in a tanker, at the gas station, in a gas can, or in the fuel tank of your Orlando Toyota, gasoline has a shelf life and can eventually degrade.
Many people assume that fuel lasts forever, but that's definitely not the case. Modern gasoline is a complex blend of hydrocarbons and additives designed to power today's engines efficiently. Over time, those components begin to break down, especially when they’re exposed to heat, air, moisture, and contaminants.
Regular gasoline is typically good for 3-6 months before it starts to degrade.
Diesel fuel generally has a longer shelf life and can last up to a year under the right storage conditions.
Ethanol-blended gasoline has a shorter shelf life. It can start degrading after just one to three months because of oxidation and evaporation.
So what happens if you use bad gasoline in your car? As gas degrades, its chemical properties start to change. When this happens, your vehicle's engine can’t process the fuel efficiently. This can lead to issues like:
In severe cases, the old gasoline can even damage parts of your fuel system.
Why does gasoline go bad?
Understanding why gas degrades can help you prevent fuel-related problems.
One of the biggest reasons gasoline goes bad is oxidation. When fuel sits, it reacts with oxygen in the air. This chemical reaction causes the fuel to lose some of its effectiveness and can create deposits that gum up your important engine components.
Evaporation is another culprit. Gasoline contains volatile compounds that help it ignite properly. Over time, especially in hot climates like Florida, these compounds evaporate. The remaining fuel is less combustible and less effective.
For gas containing ethanol, moisture contamination is another concern. Ethanol attracts water from the atmosphere. If enough water accumulates in the fuel, phase separation can occur. This means the water and ethanol separate from the gasoline. This creates a mixture that can cause serious engine performance issues.
How do you know if the gas in your Orlando Toyota has gone bad?
The problems listed above are a good place to start. If your car has fuel in the tank, clean oil, and a healthy battery but is still having performance issues, bad gasoline might be the culprit. Some common warning signs that you have bad gas in the tank include:
Your engine struggles to start
Old gasoline doesn't ignite as easily as fresh fuel. If your Orlando Toyota cranks longer than usual or has trouble starting after sitting for a long period of time, degraded fuel might be to blame.
Your vehicle idles roughly
Bad gasoline can disrupt the combustion process. As a result, your engine might idle unevenly, vibrate more than normal, or feel unstable when you’re stopped.
Poor acceleration
If your car feels sluggish when you press the gas pedal, old fuel might not be delivering the energy your engine needs.
Reduced fuel efficiency
A drop in fuel economy can happen when degraded fuel doesn't burn as effectively.
Check engine light illumination
Bad gasoline can trigger sensors that monitor fuel combustion and emissions. This can cause your check engine light to turn on, which means it's time to have your vehicle inspected.
Changes in appearance and smell
Bad gasoline can have a distinct look and smell. Fresh gasoline is typically clear or slightly amber. Gasoline that has gone bad might appear darker, cloudy, or muddy. It can also develop a sour, varnish-like odor that's noticeably different from the smell of fresh fuel.
What happens if you put bad gasoline in your car?
If you accidentally fill up with contaminated or old gas, you may notice symptoms almost immediately. Depending on the severity of the degradation, your Orlando Toyota could still run, but your performance can suffer significantly.
Potential consequences include:
Fuel injector clogs
Fuel filter blockages
Engine knocking or misfires
Damage to the fuel pump
Corrosion inside the fuel system
Reduced engine performance
If bad gasoline remains in your car for an extended period, the deposits can build up throughout the fuel system. These deposits can restrict fuel flow and create expensive repair bills down the road.
What should you do if your car has bad gasoline?
If you think bad gasoline is causing problems, it's important to address the issue quickly. If only a small amount of stale fuel is in your gas tank and your care is still operating normally, sometimes adding fresh fuel can dilute the old gasoline enough to restore performance.
However, if the gasoline is significantly degraded, the best solution is usually to remove it entirely. If left in the tank and engine, old gasoline can create a gummy residue that clogs fuel lines and injectors. Additionally, ethanol-blended fuels can absorb moisture, increasing the risk of corrosion throughout your fuel system.
Our Orlando Toyota specialists can help diagnose fuel-related issues, safely remove contaminated gasoline, and get your car running properly again.
The cars most at risk for bad gasoline
While any car can experience fuel degradation, certain cars are more susceptible. These include:
Seasonal vehicles
Classic cars
Collector cars
Recreational vehicles (RVs)
Boats
Motorcycles
Vehicles stored during extended travel
Cars driven only occasionally
If your ride spends more time parked than driven, fuel maintenance is especially important.
How to prevent gasoline from going bad
Wondering how to avoid asking yourself "does gasoline go bad" in the future? Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to prevent.
Avoid gas stations that aren't busy
The busier the gas station, the more likely it is that they're receiving regular deliveries of fresh fuel. Fuel that moves quickly through storage tanks is fresher than fuel that sits for extended periods.
Drive your car regularly
Even if it's only for a short trip, regular driving helps circulate the fuel throughout the system and prevents gasoline from sitting in the tank too long. If your Orlando Toyota is stored for an extended period, try to start and drive it periodically whenever possible.
Keep your fuel tank fuller
A fuller gas tank leaves less room for air and moisture inside the tank. This helps reduce condensation and contamination. While you don't need to keep it completely full all the time, avoiding long-term storage with a nearly empty tank is a smart move.
Use a fuel stabilizer
Fuel stabilizers are designed to slow the gas degradation process. They can be especially useful if you know your car is going to sit unused for several months. Ask our Orlando Toyota service experts whether a fuel stabilizer makes sense for your ride.
Follow your vehicle's maintenance schedule
Routine maintenance inspections help identify fuel system issues before they become major problems. Fuel filters, injectors, and other parts should be inspected according to your manufacturer's recommendations.
The bottom line: Does gasoline go bad?
Yes, gasoline absolutely goes bad. While it doesn't spoil overnight, it does begin to degrade over time and can create performance issues if you let it sit too long. Factors like heat, moisture, oxygen exposure, and ethanol content can all accelerate the process.
The good news is that a few simple habits like driving regularly, using fresh fuel, keeping your tank reasonably full, and considering a fuel stabilizer for long-term storage can help prevent problems before they start. If you think your vehicle has bad gasoline or you're experiencing fuel-related performance issues, Toyota of Orlando is here to help.
Schedule car care at Toyota of Orlando today
Have questions about your car's gasoline? Call Toyota of Orlando today. Our expert service team can help diagnose fuel system issues, inspect your car, and recommend the best solution to keep your Toyota running at its best.We're open seven days a week and ready to help at (407) 298-4500.
FAQs
How long does gasoline last in a car?
Regular gasoline typically lasts between three and six months before it begins to degrade. Ethanol-blended fuels may start breaking down even sooner, especially in hot climates like Florida.
Can bad gasoline damage my engine?
Yes. Bad gasoline can lead to clogged fuel injectors, blocked fuel filters, corrosion, rough engine performance, and other fuel system problems if left untreated.
Is it okay to use a fuel stabilizer?
Yes. Fuel stabilizers are commonly used to extend the life of gasoline during storage. They're especially helpful for vehicles that won't be driven for several months.
Your engine coolant is critical to your car's performance. That's why we're always telling you to check it and fill it when necessary - it keeps your engine cool and prevents overheating, which can result in catastrophic damage to your car. Coolant flows through your Toyota's radiator, water pump, hoses, and the engine itself to ensure that everything under the hood maintains a cool enough temperature to function normally.
Why is engine coolant so important?
If your engine coolant level is too low or the coolant is too dirty to do its job, it can cause major issues for your Orlando Toyota. Your engine can overheat, as we mentioned, resulting in extremely expensive if not irreparable damage to your vehicle. And not only does your coolant run out over time, it also gets dirty. Remember, it's flowing through the cooling system and while it does, it picks up dirt, debris, and contaminants. So how can you check it?
First, you'll want to check your coolant level. The easiest way to do this is to turn your Orlando Toyota off, pop the hood, and physically look in the coolant reservoir to see where the level is (there should be a line indicating how high the level should be for optimal performance). Once you've assessed the level, you can check the color of the engine coolant. Normal coolant ranges in color; it can be blue, green, red, or orange depending on which one you use. Rule of thumb, though: it should be translucent (you can see through it). If it's cloudy, opaque, or sludgy, it's dirty and needs to be changed out. Dirty engine coolant becomes thicker and can't flow as easily; it also can't do its job of cooling the engine properly.
Here are a few other warning signs that your engine coolant is dirty:
Your coolant level light and/or check engine light comes on in your dash
You have steam coming out from under the hood of your Orlando Toyota
You have a coolant leak, which results in puddles under the car of the same color as your engine coolant
Your engine's temperature gauge is in the red (your car isn't running cool enough)
If you notice any of the above signs, it can indicate that your coolant is dirty and you need to visit the Toyota of Orlando auto service center. Our techs can help! In this scenario, it's best to do a coolant flush. And no, we're not trying to upsell you - hear us out. You can drain all the old coolant out and put new coolant in, but that doesn't get rid of the residual dirt and grime left in the lines, hoses, engine, and radiator. A flush will push all of that out so when you put fresh coolant in, it'll stay cleaner longer (saving you time and money).
Schedule engine coolant service at Toyota of Orlando
Think you need auto service regarding your engine coolant? Schedule it at our Orlando Toyota service center today. You can schedule online, call (407) 298-4500, or swing by! We're open seven days a week with the longest service hours in Central Florida at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.
Do you bring your car into our Orlando auto service center regularly to get oil changes? If you do, congrats... and if you don't, you should be. Oil keeps your engine cool and also keeps all of its moving parts lubricated so your car can have a long and efficient life. That's why it's important to keep your vehicle equipped with the proper level of clean engine oil.
However, as oil circulates through your engine, it's bound to pick up dirt, debris, and grime. Over time, this makes it thick, dirty, and unable to do its job, which means if you don't change it, you're highly likely to have major issues with your engine. How do you know if engine oil is dirty? Toyota of Orlando's car care experts are here to help you spot oil that needs to be changed.
Toyota of Orlando's instructions on how to check engine oil
First things first - you need to know how to check your car's oil before you can figure out if it's dirty or not. Here's how you do it:
Turn your car off and let it cool down for a minute (this will make it more pleasant under the hood, trust us)
Locate the oil dipstick, usually somewhere in the center of the engine
Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil on it.
There are two tic marks on the end of the dipstick, and that's how you gauge the oil level. The oil should be in between the tic marks. If it's below, your engine doesn't have enough oil.
Now, look at the oil itself. It should be dirt- and debris-free and a tan, caramel hue in color.
Now that you know to check engine oil, it's time to figure out whether it's dirty or not. Here are some surefire signs you need an oil change, according to our Toyota of Orlando service techs:
You can actually see dirt and debris in the oil - like, chunks of it.
The oil color is dark brown or black. Remember, it should be caramel-colored. Dark brown and black hues mean the engine oil is dirty.
Your exhaust is putting out smoke.
You can smell oil inside of your Orlando Toyota's cabin while you're driving.
You hear knocking sounds when you drive, or you feel like your car is just running a lot louder than it normally does in general. (More engine noise.)
If you notice that your engine oil is dirty, it's time to bring it into Toyota of Orlando for an oil change. Dirty engine oil can cause big-time expensive damage to your engine - sometimes even irreparable damage. Schedule an appointment at our Toyota service center to get your car's oil clean and full again.
Schedule an engine oil change with our Toyota service center
Need to schedule? Call us for an Orlando oil change 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. Schedule online, on the phone, or just stop by!
Electric cars are a hot topic right now - it seems like everyone is researching them, visiting the dealerships, and considering whether or not to buy one. But what are the real benefits of electric cars? Toyota of Orlando is explaining all of the perks of owning one of these tech-driven cars so you can decide for yourself before signing the dotted line on one.
The five main benefits of electric cars
Benefit #1: No gasoline costs.
When you drive an electric car, you don't need to fill up at the gas station... ever. You'll never have to pay for gas again as electric cars run solely on electricity. And yes, you do have to pay for electricity whether you charge at home or at a public charging station (FYI, it's cheaper to charge at home) but your "fuel" costs will still be significantly less than what they'd be powering an internal combustion car. Your electricity costs will vary depending on where you live and it may be cheaper to charge your car overnight when there's less of a demand for power.
Benefit #2: Less maintenance required.
Another electric car benefit is that you don't have an internal combustion engine under the hood, which means you'll need a lot less maintenance. There are far fewer fluids in your electric car so you won't need oil changes, etc. nor will you need spark plug replacements, tune-ups, and other maintenance you'd have to pay for in a traditional gasoline car. In fact, your auto service costs should be about half of what they'd be in an ICE car. All you'll really need to do in terms of car maintenance for your Orlando Toyota electric car is schedule tire service, battery checks, and brake service. Our techs can help keep you on a schedule!
Benefit #3: Cleaner local performance.
Electric cars are often touted as one of the cleanest, greenest options out there and on a local level, they are. When it comes to non-local emissions and lithium-ion battery production, they're not as clean as you'd think. But on a local level, electric cars don't put out any emissions. This makes them extremely clean in that aspect and is one of the benefits of electric cars.
Benefit #4: Tax breaks.
Did you know that you may be eligible for both state and federal tax breaks for owning an electric car? Be sure to do your research or have your accountant look into it to see what you're eligible for. Money is money, right?
Benefit #5: Peace and quiet.
As electric cars don't have internal combustion engines, they're a lot quieter to drive. Your cabin will be quiet and peaceful no matter how fast you're going. Enjoy it! This is also the case in hybrids and plug-in hybrids.
Ask Toyota of Orlando all of your electric car questions
Have questions about electric cars? Toyota of Orlando has answers. 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, and we're open seven days a week until 10pm.
If you've lived in Florida for a while, you've probably come to terms with the fact that roaches are pretty much everywhere. They love it here because it's warm most of the year, which makes it like a vacation destination for them 24/7. They also love to make their way inside cars, where it's also warm, protected from the elements, and (if your car isn't clean) an all-you-can-eat buffet. Toyota of Orlando is here to explain how to get roaches out of your car AND keep them out.
3 steps to get roaches out of your car
Like we said, roaches love to hide inside cars and they can multiply pretty quickly if you don't nip the problem in the bud. Here are the steps to take to get roaches out of your car:
#1: Clean it out immediately. Vacuum the entire car out and wipe all the surfaces down with cleaning solution; on top of that, be sure to scrub out any stains or spills that might be attracting roaches. You should also look for roaches and roach eggs to vacuum out - check places like seatback pockets, under floor mats, cupholders, under seats, your glove box, your center console, and your trunk. And don't forget to check where your spare tire is stored!
#2: Try traps or bait - these are two of the easiest options for getting roaches out of your car. You can put down roach traps to trap and remove them, sticking the traps in places like your trunk and under your seats. You can also buy gel bait - this method is effective because the roaches will spread the poison back to their colony, but it's also toxic and might not be the best if you have kids or pets in the car. You can also try diatomaceous earth or borax - both are effective.
#3: Call an exterminator. If you've broken out all the stops and you still have roaches in your car, it's time to call in the professionals and let them handle it. It may be a bit more costly, but when you consider the fact that roaches can carry 30 different types of bacteria, it's worth it.
Once you've gotten the roaches out of your car, it's time to KEEP them out. Here's how to keep your Orlando Toyota roach-free:
Declutter it. Don't leave clutter in the car; it's a great hiding place for roaches to hang out. Keep the bare minimum in your car.
Get on a detailing schedule. Leaving crumbs and trash in your car is basically holding the door open for roaches. Get on a car detailing schedule and keep your ride tidy at all times.
Close your doors, windows, trunk, and sunroof if you're not in the car. Don't give them any way to enter the vehicle, and also check that the seals on your doors and windows are in good shape.
Be careful where you park - avoid parking by dumpsters, trash cans, or heavily wooded areas where roaches might be hiding.
Also, be careful what you're transporting. Roaches love to hide in cardboard boxes, plastic grocery bags, old luggage, etc.
Call Toyota of Orlando with questions
Have questions about getting roaches out of your car? Call Toyota of Orlando today - we're open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500 or stop by. We're conveniently located at 3575 Vineland Road just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.
