Thursday, November 4, 2021

What should you consider before adding a car spoiler?

 If you're looking for an easy and affordable way to customize your ride, a car spoiler is a definite possibility. And not only will it take your Orlando Toyota's appearance up a notch, but it'll also improve performance. However, before you take the plunge, there are certain things you should take into consideration. Our Toyota of Orlando body shop experts are here to help - check out their recommendations below. 

Orlando Toyota body shop tips


Three things to think about before adding a car spoiler to your Orlando Toyota 

#1: Do research and make sure it aesthetically fits. Something may look good on paper (or on Instagram) but what counts is how it looks in real life. Do your research and explore car spoiler options. It's always a good idea to look at similar vehicles that have the spoiler you want, and look for the spoiler type in real life, too, so you can see what it'll look like on a day-to-day basis (without all those professional angles and filters applied to it). Car spoilers are a cool customization, but they can also look ridiculous if you're not careful. 

#2: Consider your car's paint color. You also have to think about the color of your current car when buying a spoiler. If you buy something that's SUPPOSED to be a different color or a car spoiler that is primed to be painted, you should be good to go. But be careful about buying a pre-painted spoiler. Remember that colors are specific to makes and models, and you don't want to end up stuck with a spoiler that clashes against the paint color you already have. 

#3: Know that you'll have to take care of it. Car spoilers are just like any other car part - they need to be cared for. And just like any other part, they can become damaged - even strong winds can do a number on them. Just know that you're adding an item to your car care list and be prepared to follow through with it to keep your entire vehicle in the best shape possible. 

The perks of adding a car spoiler 

But don't forget, there are definite perks to adding a car spoiler. Here are two things our Toyota of Orlando body shop techs love about these unique accessories: 

#1: They actually improve performance. Car spoilers catch the wind as you drive, and in turn, they push the rear of your car down to improve handling. It's like adding power and maneuverability to your Orlando Toyota without even touching anything under the hood! 

#2: There are so many options. Car spoiler options are endless and leave you with tons of ways to customize your ride to your personal preferences. Plus, there are a ton of pricepoints to choose from AND places to order from. 

Want to add a car spoiler to your Toyota? Call Toyota of Orlando today! Our Toyota parts store is open and ready to help at (407) 298-4500 and we're conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road. 

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Car care for your older vehicle

 Is your vehicle starting to get up there in years? Just because a car is getting older doesn't mean it isn't reliable or valuable anymore (especially if you drive a Toyota, which are renowned globally for their long lifespans. Anywaaaaaaay). However, to keep your car in the best shape possible and fend off any future issues, you do have to put a little extra car care into your ownership routine. We've got tips straight from the experts at our Orlando Toyota Service Center on how to keep your older car running like new. 

high mileage car maintenance

Six car care tips for older cars 

Tip #1: Stay on top of routine maintenance. We know - we're always on you to stay on a routine car maintenance schedule. And it's not because we want to make money off of you - in fact, we'd make more if we didn't tell you to get routine car care because things would break all the time and you'd have to pay us to fix them. Taking care of routine oil changes, battery checks, tire rotations, and brake service will keep your Orlando Toyota in the best shape possible and help fend off future problems. 

Tip #2: Don't skip tune-ups. Tune-ups are a must for older cars and although they can be a bit pricier than other routine car care, you shouldn't skip them. They address smaller issues like belts, hoses, spark plugs, etc. that can interfere with daily performance and also turn into much bigger issues in the future. 

Tip #3: Have belts and hoses checked regularly. As your car ages, things start to wear out (just like anything else). It's a good idea to have your belts and hoses given a once over when you bring your car in for maintenance just to ensure nothing needs to be replaced. 

Tip #4: Get your cooling system flushed. It's also a good idea to occasionally get your coolant system flushed in an older car - this will remove rust and debris from the system, pushing it out and keeping things clean and also preventing damage to the system over time. 

Tip #5: Replace the water pump as needed. You may also need to replace the water pump in an older car to ensure the engine stays cool. This part circulates coolant through the engine to prevent overheating, so if it goes bad you need to replace it ASAP to fend off major damage. 

Tip #6: Don't avoid the timing belt replacement. We get it - a timing belt replacement is no cheap feat. But it's 100% necessary, especially if yours is going bad and about to break. Without a timing belt, your car is going nowhere fast (literally) and if it breaks while the car is running, it can actually do damage to other parts. 

Schedule your car care at Toyota of Orlando

Want more car care tips for older vehicles? Call us today! Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500 and we're conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. Reach us at (407) 298-4500 to learn more about the car care we offer and our auto service specials to save money! 

Thursday, October 14, 2021

Toyota of Orlando's car care tips for spooky season

 Spooky season is upon us, friends! It's the perfect time of year to get festive and celebrate all things scary, but it's also important to ensure that you take care of your car through the season as you celebrate. Toyota of Orlando's expert service techs are here to offer tips on caring for your car through spooky season like a pro. 

Toyota of Orlando tips

Five tips for spooky season car care 

Tip #1: Check your headlights. Are your headlights, taillights, turn signals, and all other lighting inside and outside of your car working and shining bright? Replace any burnt-out bulbs and deal with any restoration that you might need to get your headlights looking like new again. Not only will you likely be out and about on Halloween night, but daylight savings time also starts the week after which means shorter days and a higher likelihood of driving in the dark. 

Tip #2: Make sure you're up to date on brake service. When was the last time you had brake service? Is your stopping power what it should be? If you're planning on hitting the road on Halloween, you definitely want braking power on your side as trick or treaters can easily cross your path when you least expect it. If it's been a while, schedule a multipoint inspection to have our Orlando Toyota service techs check things out. 

Tip #3: Inspect your car wax. You should also think about when you last waxed your car. Summer is over and with it goes the heavy rainstorms, but the sun in Orlando is still bright and hot all year long. It may be time to reapply a few coats of wax to keep your car's paint protected throughout the rest of the year. And if you're heading out of town for the holidays, wax can help protect against snow and ice and fend off moisture. 

Tip #4: Plan for your tires. How did your tires fare through the long, hot summer? What are your plans for after spooky season? Heat can do a number on your car tires and if they really took a beating, you may need new ones before the end of 2022. Do a tire inspection to ensure they're still in adequate shape to hit the road. This is especially important if you're planning on taking any holiday road trips during the holidays this year - the last thing you want is a blowout on Thanksgiving Day. 

Tip #5: Park wisely. Part of car care is choosing where to park, believe it or not. If you're heading to a new neighborhood to trick or treat or know that yours is going to have a lot of traffic, make sure you have a safe place to park. Your garage or driveway is best if you're staying put, and if you're going to a new neighborhood, make sure you park in a legal zone and far enough off the road so another car won't hit your Orlando Toyota. 

Schedule your car care at Toyota of Orlando today 

Have questions about car care for spooky season or need to schedule some? Call Toyota of Orlando - we're open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001. We're also conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road!