A guide to the different grades of gasoline

When you stop at the gas station to fill up, you likely notice that there are three types of regular gasoline available to you and that they vary in price. These are called "grades" of gasoline. However, what does "grade" mean and what effect does each of them have on your Orlando Toyota when you fill up? Toyota of Orlando is here to explain gasoline grades and how they affect your car's performance. 

What are the three grades of gasoline? 

As noted, there are three grades of gasoline (not counting the green-handled pump - that one is diesel). They're as follows: 

• Regular (87 octane) 
• Midgrade (89-90 octane) 
• Premium (91-94 octane)

You may not see these three particular grades; sometimes, they're referred to as unleaded, super, and super premium. Regardless of what they're called, they exist in grades because of their octane rating. Each grade has a different octane rating (the number on it). Octane ratings are a measure of a fuel's stability and are assigned based on the pressure at which a fuel will spontaneously combust inside an engine. The higher the octane rating of the fuel, the more stable it is. 

So how do the different grades of gasoline affect your Orlando Toyota's performance? If you drive an internal combustion engine car (a typical gasoline-powered car) or a hybrid, your vehicle uses controlled internal combustion to ignite the regular gasoline inside the engine and get things up and running. 

Unstable fuel, on the other hand, can cause spontaneous internal combustion (as opposed to planned, controlled combustion). If spontaneous combustion is taking place inside the engine, it means you have secondary combustion happening as well as uneven fuel dispersion. This leads to high pressure inside the engine, and subsequently, damage to the pistons (which can be expensive to fix). 

The good news is that modern cars have sensors in the engine to detect uncontrolled or secondary combustion inside the engine. These sensors can then delay the controlled combustion to reduce pressure and the damage it could do to your engine. 

That's why octane rating is important to pay attention to when you're choosing your grade of gasoline. Most cars can run on any grade without issue, but it's important to check your owner's manual when you buy a new car. Some cars can only run on premium fuel and will have an issue using anything with a lower octane rating, so be sure to use what's required. 

And contrary to popular belief, putting premium fuel in a car that doesn't require it doesn't reap any benefits. Your car won't perform any better or have fewer issues - you're basically just wasting money. 

Get answers to all of your gasoline questions at Toyota of Orlando

Have questions about gasoline grades and your Toyota? 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. 

Should you warm your car up before driving in winter? Toyota of Orlando explains.

 It's about to get COLD in Central Florida. 

Christmas is around the corner and the forecast is calling for temperatures in the 30s (that dip into the 20s once you factor in wind chill). Are you ready for it? And more importantly, is your car ready for it? Toyota of Orlando can help - our techs can check your car battery to ensure it's ready for the cold, as well as make sure your tires are inflated to the proper PSI since your tire pressure will temporarily drop when the cold front moves in. However, today we're here to address one of the most common questions we hear in winter - do you really need to warm your car up before driving in winter? 

Your car's age affects its driving in winter 

Here's the thing: The answer isn't a simple yes or no. It really boils down to your vehicle's age - in years, not miles - for the answer. Our Orlando car care specialists are here to explain. 

When your car sits for an extended period of time - like overnight in your driveway - all of the oil drains out of the engine and into the bottom of the oil pan. When you start your car again, that oil needs to recirculate through the engine to ensure all of the moving parts are lubricated, and that takes time. The amount of time varies based on your car's age. 

This recirculation of the oil is especially important when it's cold outside. Cold takes a toll on your vehicle and if you hit the road without ensuring everything in the engine is lubricated, you run the risk of damaging your pistons, which can lead to a pricey repair. 

Here's the breakdown: 

If your car is older in terms of the model year, you need to let it warm up a little bit before you hit the road. You're not actually warming the engine up - we all know that driving is the most efficient way to make that happen - but you are giving the engine time to recirculate the oil and lubricate everything. 

• Older cars take a little bit more time to make this happen just because they're not as technologically and mechanically advanced as new vehicles. 
• This is where the assumption that you have to warm your car up before driving in winter comes from; you should wait a little bit if your car isn't new. 
• A few minutes is all you need in this scenario. That gives the engine plenty of time to recirculate the oil so you can put the pedal to the metal and hit the road. 

If you drive a newer car, you don't need to let it warm up before driving in winter. Newer cars are much quicker when it comes to recirculating oil so by the time you buckle your seatbelt, adjust the heat, and pick a song from your playlist, you're good to go. 

Even if your car is older, you won't need to let it warm up for more than a few minutes. As we noted, the best way to warm up your car is to drive it. Extended idling just leads to wasted gas and more emissions. 

Let Toyota of Orlando answer your questions about driving in winter 

Still have questions about driving in winter? Toyota of Orlando is here to help. You can call us at (407) 298-0001 or stop by and see us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. 

My car won't start: A quick guide

 So. Your car won't start. 

It's a terrible feeling, we know. There are so many reasons why your car may not be starting and unfortunately, most of them require a visit to our Orlando Toyota service center. We know it means time and money on your part and we understand your stress, which is why we're here to help. Check out these common reasons why your car won't start to pinpoint the issues, and let our Orlando auto service experts get you back on the road today! 

Six reasons your car won't start 

#1: No fuel. This one is an easy fix, luckily. If your car doesn't have gas in it, it won't start. Check your fuel level indicator on your dash to see the level. If it's empty, grab a gas can and make your way to your nearest gas station. Side note: if the tank WAS full and has no reason to be empty, you could have a leak - bring your car into Toyota of Orlando so our techs can inspect things. 

#2: Dead battery. If your car battery dies, you won't be able to get your Orlando Toyota up and running anytime soon. If you hear a clicking noise or just silence when you turn your key in the ignition, you likely have a dead battery. You can try jumping the battery to get things rolling again, but regardless, it's a good idea to have the auto service experts at Toyota of Orlando inspect your battery to see if it needs to be replaced. (Also have them check your alternator.) 

#3: Bad spark plugs. If you have bad spark plugs, your engine can't ignite the fuel and thus, won't start. You may be able to get your car to turn over, but it won't actually start. Our techs can quickly and affordably replace bad spark plugs to get you back on the road. 

#4: Bad ignition switch. If this is the case, you should be able to run accessories like the headlights (your battery is working just fine) but not be able to start the car. Our Toyota of Orlando car care techs can spot the issue and replace your ignition switch for you. 

#5: Faulty engine cylinders. If you hear knocking noises under the hood but your car won't start, it could mean issues with your engine cylinders. Let our techs take a look under the hood to see what's going on. 

#6: Damaged wiring. If your starter wires are loose or damaged, it could prevent your car from starting. In this scenario, you'll often hear a clicking noise when you try to start the car. 

Whatever the case, if your car won't start you have two options. First, check your Orlando Toyota's battery. If you can't turn on the headlights, then you're likely have issues with your car battery and can try to get a jump, but it's still wise to have our car care techs inspect it. 

However, if it's not the battery, your next step should be to call a tow truck and get your vehicle towed to Toyota of Orlando so our techs can get to the bottom of the issue. 

When your car won't start, call Toyota of Orlando

Car won't start? Need service? We've got your back. Call Toyota of Orlando today at (407) 298-0001 or stop by 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. We're open seven days a week! 

Prepping your car for driving in winter in Florida

 Winter in Florida... does it really even exist? OK, ok - we know we do typically get a dose of cold weather at the end of December and January. We never see snow and ice is rare, though, so our winter car prep is far different from places that see heavy winter weather. Toyota of Orlando is here with tips on how to prepare your car for driving in winter in FLORIDA - check it out. 

How to prepare your car for a Florida winter 

Driving in winter in Florida looks a lot different because as noted, we don't see snow or sleet, and even ice on the road is a rarity, especially as you move south down the peninsula. Here's how our car care experts think you should handle winter car prep in the Sunshine State. 

#1: Check your battery. Make sure your car battery is in good shape before winter arrives. Sure, it may not drop too low in terms of temp here, but cold weather can have an effect on your car's battery, especially if it's not in the best shape to begin with. Our techs can inspect the battery physically for any signs of leaks or swelling, as well as test the voltage to ensure it has the charge you need to get up and running every day while driving in winter. 

#2: Make sure your heater and defroster work. NOW is the time to make sure your heater and defroster work... not in January when we get a cold front and it actually goes below 50 degrees in the morning. Check to ensure both are functioning properly and if they're not, visit Toyota of Orlando's auto service center to let our techs get to the bottom of things. 

#3: Check your tires. We may not have to drive in snow or on lots of ice, but it's still important to check your tires. You want them to have the proper amount of tread so you have traction, of course, but you also want to ensure they're inflated to the proper level. Remember, cold weather can actually make your tire PSI drop as the air inside of them cools and gets denser. Make sure they're inflated to the proper level to begin with so you don't have uneven tire wear or damage. 

#4: Inspect your wipers. We won't see snow, but as cold fronts move in we will get our fair share of rain. Make sure your windshield wipers are in good enough shape to keep your windshield clear when driving in winter. After all, the summer heat can dry them out and cause cracking and tearing. You want them to be able to clear your windshield in one sweep without leaving smears or streaks. If yours aren't performing, our Orlando Toyota parts store has plenty of options for you to replace them affordably. 

Get ready for driving in winter with Toyota of Orlando

Have questions about prepping your car for driving in winter? Toyota of Orlando always has answers. Call us today to schedule car care at (407) 298-0001 or schedule online. We're open seven days a week with the longest service hours in Central Florida at 3575 Vineland Road! 

How to know if it's time to replace your car's clutch

If you drive a manual transmission car, you know that one of the components you want to take the best care of is the car clutch. This component is integral to performance - without it, you're going nowhere fast. Your clutch enables you to change gears, which allows your car to accelerate and decelerate. It's important to extend the life of your car clutch and also to know when it's time to replace it. Toyota of Orlando is here with tips!  

How to extend the life of your car clutch 

As noted, your car clutch is a critical component of performance. That's why it's important to take care of it and do everything you can to extend its life. After all, replacing your car clutch is an expensive and time-consuming process. Here are some Orlando Toyota tips: 

#1: Don't overheat the clutch. Heat is the enemy of your car clutch - it can severely damage this important part if you're not careful. Always monitor your coolant and cooling system to ensure that the engine, transmission, and clutch stay cool. 

#2: Don't ride the clutch. If you're not using the car clutch to shift gears or start the car, you shouldn't be touching it with your foot. Overusing your clutch or resting your foot on it can cause the clutch to wear out more quickly. Keep your left foot on the floor if you're not using it to actively engage the clutch. 

#3: Your clutch uses hydraulic fluid and over time, it may develop little bubbles in the fluid. When this happens, you'll notice that your car clutch feels "mushy" or less responsive. If this happens, you need to "bleed" the clutch to get all of the bubbles out - our Orlando Toyota service center can help you with that. 

Signs you need to replace your car clutch 

So how do you know if it's time to replace your car clutch? There are important signs to look out for and you should never ignore them - you can damage your gears and even have the clutch go out completely, which leaves your car totally unable to be driven. Here are some signs our Orlando auto service tech recommend looking out for: 

• You hear weird noises, like squeaking, grinding, or rumbling, when you press the clutch 
• Your clutch pedal starts to feel mushy or loose or contrastingly, gets stuck down when you press it 
• Your car has a hard time accelerating and the engine is revving
• Your clutch "slips" - you feel a little loss of acceleration when changing gears before the clutch grabs and you can speed up 
• You have a hard time changing gears in your car 

Think you're having car clutch problems? Toyota of Orlando's service center can help. Call us today at (407) 298-0001 to talk to one of our techs and schedule an appointment. You can also swing by - we're at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.