Toyota tips for towing

Now that the weather is starting to cool down, there are tons of outdoor activities that can be done in the Orlando area. There’s tailgating, camping, and more! These activities take a lot of work and supplies. So you need to make sure that your car or truck is up to the challenge of towing. Toyota of Orlando is here to make sure you know everything you need to know about towing.

Is your Orlando Toyota up to the task?

Before you start towing, you’ll want to make sure that your Toyota truck is up to the task. It’s incredibly unsafe to tow while in a vehicle that isn’t properly prepared for it. Make sure you look for the following things before towing:

• ·      Does your car have the proper equipment? – You can’t tow properly in Orlando without the proper equipment. Items you’ll need to safely and properly tow include a tow bar, tow hitch receiver, and proper wiring to power brake lights and turn signals. 

• ·      Check your fluids – When you tow something behind your Orlando vehicle, you’re putting it through a lot of extra work. That’s why it’s important to make sure your oil and transmission fluids are in good shape. 

• ·      Check your tires – You’ll need proper inflation and traction to be able to pull loads properly. So watch out for any signs of wear and tear on your car tires. If you need to get them checked out or replaced, bring them in to our Orlando service center.

If you’re unsure what your Orlando Toyota can handle, you can ask one of our experts! They’ll be happy to assist you with any questions you may have about towing in your vehicle. 

Stay safe while towing

As your driving while towing, it’s important to be completely aware of your surroundings. You’re driving a lot more around than what you’re used to. Here are some safe driving tips to remember when you’re towing:

• ·      Know how to brake – When pulling a load, you want to make sure you are braking slowly. A sudden stop can mean disaster since what you’re pulling doesn’t have a separate set of breaks. 

• ·      Pass carefully – When you change lanes, don’t forget you’ll need more space than usual. Make sure to check all of your mirrors and confirm your path is clear before using your turn signals to alert other drivers.

• ·  Make wide turns – Making wider turns will prevent damage from occurring on your vehicle or whatever you’re pulling behind you. So make sure you’re taking the proper precautions when making a turn.

Do you need more help with deciding whether or not your car has the capability to tow safely? Bring it in to Toyota of Orlando to have our service techs look at it! We’re located at 3575 Vineland Road just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.

How to Inspect Coolant Hoses

It may be the end of summer, but living in the Sunshine State we feel the heat well into the fall months of the year. That means you’ll definitely want to make sure your engine coolant hoses are in mint condition. These hoses in your car are the weakest link when it comes to your cooling system. That means they are going to need some tender, love, and care more frequently than the other components of this system. Not to fear, Toyota of Orlando has got your back and won’t let you suffer the effects of broken engine coolant hoses and 100-degree weather.

The 411 on Coolant Hoses

The coolant hoses in your car are comprised of pliable rubber compounds. They are made from this material in order to absorb the shock that comes from the engine and radiator of your Orlando Toyota. While the main duty of these hoses is to secure coolant under pressure there are several outside forces that can damage the rubber compounds they are derived from: extremes temperatures, oil, sludge, dirt, and ozone, to name a few. 

However, the biggest enemy to your engine coolant hoses is electrochemical degradation, also referred to as ECD. ECD will damage hoses by creating small cracks in the rubber that in the long haul, will create pinholes in the hose or cause the hose to completely burst. This delicate part of your cooling system only gets to this point when your coolant is contaminated by acid and the materials that reinforce the hoses are weakened. 

Toyota of Orlando tips to prevent hose failure

Now that you know what can happen if you do not take proper care of your engine coolant hoses and why they fail, we have picked the brains of our Orlando service staff to give you some simple tips on how to prevent this from happening to your vehicle. 

• Check that your coolant-recovery tank (this should be white) is filled to the proper fluid level. There are tick marks on your tank to designate where the fluid level should be. If you notice the level dropping beneath the appropriate level after multiple fillings you most likely have a leak.

• When inspecting your coolant-recovery tank check your engine bay for white, green, blue, or pink tracks. These tracks are an indicator of a leak.

• Make sure to do this step only when your engine is cool. Using your thumb and forefinger, press the hoses together close to the clamps. This is where ECD usually happens. If your hoses are in good condition you should find that they have a sturdy feel absent of any soft spots.

• When your car is hot, examine hoses for any cracks, bulges, or pinholes. Also, keep an eye out for any collapses in the hose or fraying by the connectors.

• After consulting your owner’s manual for proper instruction, flush and renew your coolant. Fresh coolant makes ECD and hose failure less likely. 

We know this sounds like a lot to do, but once you pop the hood of your Orlando Toyota this will all make a lot more sense. Just a couple of extra minutes of car maintenance and you could save yourself a whole lot of time and money. Nonetheless, if you have any further questions or want one of our Toyota of Orlando service staff members to take a look at your vehicle, don’t hesitate to call us at (407) – 298 – 4500. We are open 7 days a week and offer amazing service specials every day. Safe travels!

What to know about car recalls

Despite all of the efforts of automakers and their quality checks at auto manufacturing plants around the world, there are some models that may have a safety-related defect that doesn’t comply with safety standards that are federally regulated. When these defects are found, automotive manufacturers issue a car recall. Finding out your Orlando Toyota has a recall in effect may cause some anxiety. Be sure to stay informed and known what steps you need to take to make the car recall process easier. Toyota of Orlando has put together some tips on how to handle recalls.

How do you know that your vehicle has been issued a car recall?

You may be tempted to ignore a recall because you don’t have enough time or you don’t think it’s important enough. We highly advise against ignoring a recall and you should have the defect repaired as soon as possible. You don’t want to put the safety of yourself or the others around you in jeopardy over something that could easily be fixed. 

When an automotive manufacturer issues a car recall, it can be on only one model, or a variety of models that use the product with the defect. These recalls can affect the overall safety of your drive in Orlando. If Toyota issues a recall, a letter would be sent to customers affected by the recall specifically. This letter would include the following information:

• ·         Make and model specific information
• ·         A description of the defect
• ·         Potential hazards and risks that would occur if you choose to ignore this car recall
• ·         Warning signs to look out for that can signal that your car is affected
• ·         The manufacturer’s plans on how they will fix the defect
• ·         Instructions on how to get the defect fixed 

If you’re worried that you wouldn’t receive a letter, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration keeps an up-to-date list of vehicle recalls on their website. All you have to do is search by VIN.

What to do when you have a Toyota recall in Orlando

If you have been informed of a car recall for your Orlando Toyota, there are a few steps to take to make sure it’s repaired or fixed. You’ll want to follow the instructions listed on either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website or in the letter you received to get the defect fixed. 

When you bring in your car into our Orlando service center, there is no need to worry about whether or not the recall will be taken care of. When a recall is issued, the manufacturer is obligated to repair the defect at no cost to you. 

If you have any more questions about the car recall process, be sure to call our experts at Toyota of Orlando. You can reach them at (407) 298-4500. Our service center is located at 3575 Vineland Road just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.