Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Toyota electric vehicle owners will gain access to Tesla superchargers

Toyota electric vehicle owners will gain access to Tesla superchargers

If you own a Toyota electric vehicle, you should be very excited for what’s to come. Tesla, Toyota, and Lexus have just agreed and are adopting the North American charging standard (NACS). Now, Orlando Toyota electric vehicle owners will be able to use one of the 12,000 Tesla supercharger stations across the US for fast, convenient charging. 

how long does it take to charge an electric car

Why is this agreement with Tesla big for Toyota electric vehicles?

This agreement is big for Toyota electric vehicles for a lot of reasons, and not just the increased number of charging stations for your Orlando Toyota electric vehicle. There is also access to superchargers – which are extremely fast. But, that’s not all we know about this agreement – let’s get into it. 

  • Toyota and Lexus will start to incorporate NACS ports into their new vehicles in 2025.

  • These vehicles will include an all-new three-row, battery-electric Toyota SUV slated to come out soon – and it’ll be assembled in Kentucky.

  • Starting in 2025, customers who own or lease applicable Toyota electric vehicles with the Combined Charging System (CCS) will be offered an adapter to use the NACS charging system.

  • As of 2024, there are more than 84,000 charging ports in America for Toyota electric vehicles, including level 2 and DC fast chargers.

  • This will expand access to 12,000+ more charging stations via the Tesla supercharger network.

Getting to use the superchargers, also known as DC fast chargers, is exciting for Toyota electric vehicle owners – but why?

electric car charging time

How long does it take to charge an electric car?

At the end of the day, timing is of the essence more than anything for your Orlando Toyota electric vehicle. So, how long does it take to charge an electric car? Well, it depends.

  • There are three types of chargers: level one, level two, and level three (also known as DC fast chargers).

  • Level one chargers are standard 120V chargers. A level one charger is the equivalent of plugging your Toyota electric vehicle into the wall in your home garage.

    • So how long does it take to charge an electric car with this charger? Well…it is the slowest type of charger – so it can take literal days for you to get a full charge with a level one charger.

    • This type of charger is recommended for Toyota drivers with plug-in hybrids or a very short commute.

  • Level two chargers are exactly double the power of level one – they’re 240V chargers. You can have one of these EV charging stations at your home, but you’ll need to have it professionally installed by an electrician.

    • EV charging time is anywhere from 4-10 hours to get a full charge from a level two charger.

    • Despite that, you’ll see many of these electric car charging stations available to the public.

  • You won’t be able to install level three chargers in your home – they’re exclusively for the public.

    • EV charging time is anywhere between 20-60 minutes to grab an 80% charge for your car. These are the perfect charging stations for road trips.

Orlando Toyota bz4X

Extra tips for charging your Orlando Toyota electric vehicle

We understand that electric vehicle charging time is not all the information you’re looking for. That’s why we’re giving you some extra tips for charging your Orlando Toyota electric vehicle and alleviating a lot of your EV range anxiety – the fear of running out of charge in the middle of driving.

  • Download apps. There are a multitude of apps you can have on your smartphone to help you locate charging stations for your Orlando Toyota.

  • Check your charge levels. You can easily check your charge levels for your Orlando Toyota bz4X on your dash and Toyota app.

  • Enroll in the Clean Assist program with Toyota. When you go to charge your EV, the Toyota app will calculate how much electricity you’re using and the net emissions. Them, Toyota will either generate or buy an equivalent amount of Renewable Energy Certificates.This  means that all of your charging activity is matched with zero-carbon electricity. 



Get all of your EV answers at Toyota of Orlando

Have questions about Toyota’s new agreement with Tesla, how long does it take to charge an electric vehicle, what does electric vehicle charging time look like, or EVs in general? We’ve got all the info you need at Toyota of Orlando. Stop by and see us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Mall at Millenia. You can also call us at 407-298-4500!


Monday, December 4, 2023

Toyota Corolla oil: A simple guide

 

Toyota Corolla oil: A simple guide

Getting a new car, especially the Orlando Toyota Corolla, is very exciting - but there are so many questions about owning one. How often do you need oil changes? What happens when your Toyota Corolla hits 100,000 miles? What type of oil is better for your car?  Don’t fret because our Toyota techs are here to make it simple for you with a simple oil change guide.

new-Toyota

What is the best oil for Toyota Corolla models?

If you haven’t already, schedule your service appointment for your next oil change. 

  • Oil for Toyota Corolla 2008 or older: You should use Toyota Genuine motor oil 5W-30, which is another synthetic blend that’s more suitable for older vehicles.

  • Oil for Toyota Corolla is a 2009 or newer: You should use Toyota Genuine motor oil 0W-20, which is a synthetic blend that will allow your car to maximize its performance.

Is synthetic oil better than conventional oil for Toyota Corollas?

Synthetic or conventional oil is a hot question for us. We’re gonna give you a quick, simple guide so that you can make the best choice for your car.

  • Synthetic oil flows faster and more easily through your engine because it is artificially produced chemical compounds. Nowadays, it is the more common choice of the two because a lot of drivers believe it enhances their car’s performance abilities. The only downside is that this type of motor oil is more expensive than conventional, but it lasts longer so you won’t have to get oil changes as frequently.

  • Conventional motor oil used to be the standard in the car care industry, but not anymore. It is made from refined crude oil and flows more slowly than synthetic oil. The only downside is that it doesn’t last as long as synthetic oil, so you’re going to have to get oil changes more frequently. But, it is cheaper than synthetic. 

At the end of the day, it is your choice - and our Orlando auto service technicians recommend checking your owner’s manual to see which oil is best for your car. We recommend using Toyota Genuine motor oil for the best quality product because if we know anything about Toyota: you can rely on it.

Toyota-Corolla-oil-change

Have over 100,000 miles? You’re going to need a new type of oil for the Toyota Corolla.

You just hit 100,000 miles on your Toyota Corolla - congratulations! And as long as you take care of it, you have a long way to go. But now that your miles are getting up there, it may be a better choice to serve it high-mileage oil. But what does high-mileage oil do? Here’s a simple breakdown:

  • It has a higher viscosity, which means it flows more slowly through your engine.

  • It usually has special additives and seal enhancers that can help protect against oil leaks in your engine.

This area may be confusing for you, so if you’re not sure if you should use this oil or not, just ask our Orlando auto service experts for help!

What about Toyota Corolla oil filters?

Easy! As far as your oil filters go, you can use any brand that fits your vehicle (make sure to check its compatibility before you purchase). However, remember - the Toyota brand is our top recommendation.

Toyota Corolla oil changes: When are you gonna need them?

The standard rules when it comes to determining an oil for Toyota Corolla are simple.

  • If you are using synthetic oil you’ll need an oil change every 5,000 miles or every 6 months, whichever comes first. 

  • If you’re using conventional oil you’ll need an oil change every 3,000 miles or so - a little more frequently than synthetic oil. 

Make sure you do your research by checking your owner’s manual to see how often your car needs oil changes to be able to perform at its best and to last longer. Another option is to schedule an appointment and ask our Orlando auto service technicians what they think is best for your Toyota.

Schedule Toyota maintenance today

Ready to get your Orlando Toyota Corolla on the books for maintenance? Call Toyota of Orlando today at (407) 298-0001. You can also schedule online or visit us at 3575 Vineland Road – we’re just off I-4 near Mall at Millenia.


Friday, November 3, 2023

Gearing Up to Get a Toyota Tundra Lift

 

Are you looking to upgrade and customize your Orlando Toyota Tundra? A Toyota Tundra lift kit is a great way to change up the style and enhance the performance of your pickup. If you’re interested but don’t know where to start, our auto care experts are here with a quick guide to choosing and installing the right lift for your vehicle. 

Orlando Toyota Tundra lift kit

Toyota Tundra Lift Kit Performance Impact

At its core, a lift kit is a chassis modification to lift or level the suspension of your truck. There’s a few different kinds of lift kits on the market, so let’s talk about these options:


Suspension Lift

The suspension lift kit increases the front and back tire clearance, allowing you to add on bigger tires. This option is great for off-roading and offers a rugged, sporty aesthetic.


Leveling Kit

A leveling kit is geared towards fixing the rake in a truck’s suspension. The “rake” is the slight imbalance between the front and back of a truck due to the engine slightly weighing down the front end. The leveling kit slightly lifts the front of the truck so that everything sits evenly above the ground. 


Body Lift

Unlike the other two kits, body lifts do not alter the suspension. These kits increase the distance between the body and frame of your truck. Body lifts are not preferred for off-roading and really aren’t as common as suspension lifts. 

Choosing Your Orlando Toyota Tundra Lift Kit

Before you start looking for a lifted Toyota Tundra for sale, look into lifting your own Tundra! It’s not as difficult as you may think. Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a Toyota Tundra lift:

  • Suspension lifts are the best option for someone who is looking to do major off-roading (rock crawling, rough terrain/trails). This lift allows more ground clearance and the ability to add bigger tires. 

  • Leveling kits are preferable for someone looking to make their truck look sportier. You can still add bigger tires too!

  • 1 or 2 inch lifts are good for moderate trail driving

  • Trails with larger rocks will require a 3-4 inch lift

  • Serious rock crawling enthusiasts will want to consider a 6-inch Toyota Tundra lift

  • Consider asking a professional to install your lift kit. There’s a lot that goes into the installation process, so reach out to our Orlando Toyota auto technicians if you have any questions. 


lift kit

Toyota’s Own Toyota Tundra Lift Kit 

Toyota actually offers a Tundra lift kit - here’s some of the specs:

  • Bilstein front and rear shocks

  • Roush forged upper-control arms

  • TRD Red front coil springs

  • Increased suspension stroke to support lift and aid in off-road performance & on-road stability

  • A 3″ lift in the front and a 2″ lift in the rear

  • An additional 2.6″ of ground clearance

  • Increased approach angle by 5 degrees

  • Increased departure angle by 1 degree

  • Increased breakover angle by 2 degrees

If you’re not sure about doing the upgrading yourself, you can always go looking for a lifted Toyota Tundra for sale - but we’d really recommend making sure you know exactly what kind of lift you’re going to be working with in that case. The Toyota brand kit is compatible with Toyota Safety Sense (some won’t be), and you always have access to our new Associated Accessories Program (AAP). 

Visit Toyota of Orlando for More Info on Toyota Tundra Lift Kits

Thinking of purchasing a lift kit for your Toyota Tundra? Contact Toyota of Orlando today. You can shop parts online, call us at (407) 307-3341, or stop by and see us in person. Our parts store is open seven days a week at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.