Synthetic vs. Conventional- which do you choose?

It’s time for an oil change and you have to choose your motor oil- synthetic or conventional. But do you really know the difference between the two and which one is better for your set of wheels? Not a lot of people do. After talking with some of our Toyota of Orlando service experts we can give you the facts on the different types of oil so you can make an informed decision on which one is the best choice for you. 

The best motor oil for you

When choosing which motor oil to use in your car there are a couple of factors you need to consider:

1.    Are you trying to save money now or later down the road?

2.    Do you want to be more environmentally friendly?

3.    What kind of vehicle do you own?

4.    How much do you want to protect your engine?

After you’ve asked yourself these questions it’s time to learn more about what the two different types of motor oil can do for you. 

What Toyota of Orlando recommends for most car owners is to go with synthetic. Synthetic oil will come at a higher cost, but has been proven to be more beneficial in the long run. Synthetic oil will typically do a better job at protecting your vehicle’s engine and moving parts. This type of motor oil rises above the latter in terms of longevity and handling of high temperatures which is essential in Florida. Synthetic oil can drive in extremely hot conditions without breaking down. So when you’re driving down I-drive in 100-degree weather you won’t have to worry about your oil going down the drain. 

The science behind it all is that the individual molecules of synthetic oil are more easily tailored to meet the needs of the modern engine. This is because it is refined and distilled. The distillation of crude oil removes more impurities and leaves the oil in its most basic molecular state allowing for the customization and better protective properties. Another plus to synthetic oil is that it is said to be less harmful to the environment than conventional oil. This type of motor oil gives your vehicle better horsepower and engine efficiency because it puts less strain on the engine. This will, in turn, make your Orlando Toyota run its best performance while using up less gasoline.

However, if you are trying to save a little money right at this very moment then you may want to go with conventional oil. Conventional oil is a significantly cheaper option, but it does not have as long of a shelf life as synthetic, meaning you will have to get oil changes more frequently down the road.  Moreover, if your car sports a conventional engine you might as well go with conventional because these types of engines do not require anything special in terms of oil choice. 

All that being said, most car service gurus will always stand by the recommendation of synthetic unless your car has a conventional engine or you’re looking for a cheaper alternative. 

Toyota of Orlando can help!

Now that you are aware of the differences between the two motor oils, it is time to choose and come in for a change. Fortunately for you, our Toyota of Orlando dealership is always running service specials so no matter what motor oil you end up choosing you can get it at a good price! We are located at 3575 Vineland Road and are open seven days a week. Call us at (407)-298-4500 and schedule your appointment today. Safe travels!

Pencils, textbooks, oil changes- oh my!

As summer comes to an end, the new school year inches closer and closer, you already have your to do list made: go school shopping, get your textbooks, get all your classes or your kids’ classes in order, meet the teachers, and the list goes on. But have you put car maintenance on your list of things to do to prepare for the school year? The answer is most likely no, but whether your king of the carpool or a busy college student, your car is about to get a lot more driving time so it is very important that you give it a little TLC before the semester is in session. And to make your to do list a little less overwhelming we have picked the brains of our Toyota of Orlando service staff to give you the ultimate back to school car maintenance checklist!

Toyota of Orlando wants to keep you on your “A” game

Before the fall semester rush begins come into Toyota of Orlando and make sure to get these five parts of your car looked at to ensure you start your 2017-2018 school year on the right foot. 

•    Check your battery. Having your battery looked at before the busy driving season is very important. Your battery could be on the cusp of needing to be replaced, but if you don’t check you will most likely find yourself stuck in a parking garage late to class when it goes out. To avoid this situation be sure to have the voltage looked at it and see if there is any bulging or rusting on the battery. Bulging and rusting are the number one signs that a battery is due to be replaced. 

•    Check your tires. To get the most out of your Toyota’s performance you will want to ensure that your car tires are in their best condition. You will want them to have even tread, proper alignment, and the appropriate inflation. Making sure your tires are up to par before going back to school will ensure you have a safer drive and better fuel efficiency. 

•    Check your brakes. Brakes are an indispensable part of driving so you want to make sure that before you start driving the kiddos around that they are running at their best. The main parts of brakes that you will want to have checked are the brake pads and fluids. To avoid brake failure, you want to make sure that there are no leaks in your brake fluid or too much wear on your pads. One of the main causes of brake wear and tear is high humidity, so being in Florida it is very important that you stay on top of this. 

•    Change out your windshield wipers and headlights. Living in Florida it is inevitable that you are going to be driving in the rain a good amount, especially when you are driving to and from school five days a week. So before all of the activities that come with school consume you, our Toyota of Orlando service staff recommends that you have your headlights and wipers replaced so they are running at their best performance. This will ensure you have good driving visibility and it will make you more visible to others. 

•    Check your oil. A routine oil change is one of the main ways to keep your vehicle running in tip-top shape for the school year. Quality oil is essential to keeping all of the moving parts in your car protected and in good condition. In an intensely hot climate such as the one we live in, your oil will dry up faster and the most important parts of your car will be exposed to damages due to rubbing, melting together, and risk of overheating. Therefore, keeping up with your oil changes will improve your overall drive and save you from spending a pretty penny on engine repairs in the future. 

Fast, easy, and affordable back to school car maintenance

Next time you’re out taking care of your school shopping list be sure to make a pit stop at our Toyota of Orlando dealership for your back to school car maintenance and let us help you make the transition from summer to school a little easier. You can visit us online to check out all of our service specials. We are open seven days a week and located just off of I-4 by the Mall of Millennia. Call and schedule an appointment at (407)298-4500 today. See you soon!

Change a Flat Tire like a Pro

There are certain things all drivers should know about vehicle maintenance and at the top of that list should be how to change a flat tire. We’ve all been there – you’re cruising along enjoying your day when one of your tires goes out unexpectedly. Most of us tend to rely on a cellphone to call for towing or roadside assistance, but what would you do if you were out of service’s reach? Here at our Toyota Service Center in Orlando our experts believe it is important that all drivers know how to change a flat tire on their own. That being said, we sat down with one of our tire experts to provide you with detailed instructions on how to change a flat tire like a professional.

Your Toyota of Orlando’s Parts Center shopping list

Most importantly you will need to have the necessary supplies to change a tire- a spare, a jack, a lug wrench, and your owner’s manual. However, if you want to be even more prepared Toyota of Orlando recommends storing some extra supplies in your car to make things even easier. Amongst these items is a towel or mat to kneel on, a flashlight in case you have to work in the dark, and gloves to protect your hands.

Now that you have all of the essentials you are ready to start changing your flat tire.

Steps to changing a tire

Step #1. Slowly pull over to a safe area. You want to avoid breaking or turning immediately when you come to the realization that you have a flat tire. Take your time to reduce your speed and pull over. The ideal tire changing area will be a longer straight stretch of land.

Step #2. Immediately activate your hazard lights. This will enable other drivers to see you and help prevent other accidents as you pull over.

Step #3. Remove the hubcap. Once you remove the hubcap you will gain complete access to the tire. Then use the flat end of the lug wrench to loosen, not remove, the lug nuts.

Step #4. Use the jack to raise the vehicle. Consult your owner’s manual to make sure you place the jack in the correct spot to avoid any damages. After you make sure the jack is firmly in place, you want to raise your Toyota car until its flat tire is about 6 inches off the road. Remember when doing this step to not place any body parts under the car for safety reasons.

Step #5. Remove the tire. You are finally ready to remove the tire, but use caution because the tire is pretty heavy. To make removal as easy as possible, make sure to pull the tire out straight toward you and not at an angle. Also keep a watchful eye on the lug nuts during this step. You do not want to lose any of them!

Step #6. Place the spare tire onto your car. Just as you removed your flat, make sure to avoid placing the spare on at an angle and make sure the tire is placed straight on. If you do not have a spare tire the Toyota of Orlando Service Center can help you be prepared by finding you a good spare to fit your vehicle. Then fasten the lug nuts to ensure your spare is on securely. However, you do not have to fasten them completely, that will come later.

Step #7. Lower your car back down to remove the jack. When lowering your car back down make sure that you lower it enough so that the removal of the jack will not cause damage to your vehicle. Once the jack is removed, it is time to tighten all of the lug nuts completely. Now you can safely make your way to your local service center so you can have your vehicle sporting the right tires again!

Toyota of Orlando can help finish the job!

Now that you are officially proficient in the tire changing bizz don’t forget this is simply a quick fix to allow you to get to your nearest automobile service so you can get your tire actually replaced. Our service team never recommends driving around with a spare tire especially when it comes to long distance driving, highway driving, or driving over 55 mph. Spare tires can only handle so much.

However, the good news is, is that you can find a plethora of amazing deals on car tires at the Toyota of Orlando Service Center. From sales to coupons to service specials our Orlando dealership has something for you. So next time you find yourself in need of a new set of tires give us a call at (407) 298-4500!