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We all know that getting into a car accident is stressful - but did you know if you drive a hybrid car, there are a few more things you need to be aware of? Hybrid powertrains are unique systems that use complex electronics and high-voltage batteries to power your vehicle, so they require a few pieces of special care after a collision. Toyota of Orlando is "Making It Simple™" - check out our guide on what to do after a car accident if you drive a hybrid. What to do after a car accident in a hybrid car specifically Remember, we said that hybrid cars like our Toyota of Orlando options use high-voltage batterie s. They can become dangerous after a crash, so make sure you never touch any cables or components that have high-voltage warnings if you're checking out your car. Further, if you see smoke, leaking fluids, or hear odd noises (like hissing or gurgling) coming from your hybrid car battery, move away from the area and wait for emergency responders. You should also remember: Hybrid powertrains are quiet - your car may be on even if you don't hear the engine. Check your dashboard lights to ensure the car is off once you're parked in a safe place, and don't forget to set your parking brake. Let emergency responders and Orlando tow companies know that you're driving a hybrid when you contact them. Don't try to disconnect the battery yourself. Only trained professionals and responders should attempt to disconnect hybrid car batteries - you could injure yourself or damage your car. Don't try to tow your hybrid car yourself. Some hybrids need to be towed on flatbeds (rather than with their rear wheels touching the ground) to prevent damage to your hybrid system and also reduce shock risk. What to watch for after an accident in hybrid cars What should you look out for after a car accident in a hybrid? Warning lights and error messages. Be vigilant in watching your dash - if you see any new lights or messages pop up, let our Orlando Toyota auto service center know ASAP so they can get under the hood and look around. Odd smells, sounds, or feelings of heat. If you notice a weird smell (like chemicals), hissing noises, or heat coming from the battery, you need to contact Toyota of Orlando ASAP. Don't try to drive the car - move away from it to protect your safety. Delayed symptoms like smoke. If you see smoke coming from your hybrid car battery after a car accident, it may have been damaged and you need to seek professional help as soon as you possibly can. What to do after a car accident with hybrids and insurance What's the insurance process like after a collision if you drive an Orlando Toyota hybrid? Here are some things to keep in mind. You should ask for a detailed inspection - you'll want them to take special care with the battery, the cooling system, and all electrical components. Know that repair costs may be higher - hybrid batteries and electronics may cost more to fix than in a typical gas car. Save all paperwork - receipts, estimates, and communications with your insurance company for your car's records. Now you know how to handle what to do after a car accident in an Orlando Toyota hybrid - let's brush up on a few other car accident preparedness tips so you know how to react. <span data-mce-type="bookmark" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> Step 1: Make sure everyone is safe. Your first step after a hybrid car accident is to see if anyone is hurt - check yourself and all of your passengers. Don't move anyone unless there's immediate danger (like a fire), and call 911 immediately. Here are a few more tips: Move your car if you can - you want to get off the road and out of the way of traffic. Once you're safely parked, turn your hazard lights on. If you can't move your car, you should look for a safe spot on the side of the road to stand. Step #2: Involve emergency responders. It's important to call 911 after a car accident, even a minor one - you'll want an accident report from the police for your insurance company. Further, if anyone is injured, you want their care to be noted and documented right away. Also, tell emergency responders that your car is a hybrid so they know what to be aware of when they arrive at the scene. Step #3: Document everything. Take pictures and videos of everything - all of the vehicles involved in the accident, the position of the cars, the road conditions, and any road signs or warning signs on the Orlando road you're on. Be sure to get up close and personal with the damage, taking plenty of photos and videos to document it. You should also: Exchange information with the other driver. Get their name and contact info, their insurance details, and the make, model, and license plate number of their vehicle. Talk to any witnesses. You should get their contact information in case they're needed for insurance purposes or a court case. Step #4: Don't admit fault. You shouldn't apologize or admit blame - just stick to the facts when talking to the police and other drivers. Police will be able to determine who is at fault from the facts and document the incident accordingly. Step #5: Call your insurance company. You should report the car accident as soon as possible - call your insurance company to get the claim started. Again, stick with the facts, give them the Orlando police report, and let them do their job. Call Toyota of Orlando for help after an accident If you need help after a car accident - hybrid car or not - we're here! Toyota of Orlando is ready and waiting to assist you and get you safely back on the road. Contact our Toyota Collision Center today at (407) 298-6006 or stop by 3575 Vineland Road to see us.

If you've ever driven over a pothole, you know just how uncomfortable it can be for you AND your car. Not only that, it can also cause damage to your vehicle in more ways than one. Our Orlando Toyota Collision Center is here with a guide on how to spot pothole damage, how to avoid potholes, and more. Why is it important to look out for potholes? We all know that potholes are an annoyance - they cause a huge bump, a loud noise, and can startle you when you're behind the wheel (and sometimes they sound really, really bad). But there are even more reasons than that to avoid them. Potholes can actually cause pretty extensive and costly damage to your ride, and our Toyota of Orlando body shop techs are walking you through the types of pothole damage they've seen come into the shop. Tire Damage Pothole tire damage can cause flat tires, first of all. Impacts from the sudden drop into the pothole can expose your tires to sharp edges, which can puncture them and cause a blowout. It can also lead to tire sidewall separation (which then can also lead to a blowout), as well as cause bulges and blisters that make your Orlando Toyota more susceptible to going flat. Investing in high-quality tires helps prevent pothole tire damage, but your best bet is to avoid potholes whenever you can. Don't risk having to spend the money to replace a tire! Wheel Damage You face more than tire issues when you're dealing with pothole damage. Potholes can also crack or bend your wheels, which can then damage their airtight seals to the tires. This can lead to tire pressure leaks and flat tires. Potholes can also loosen your lug nuts and mess with your wheel bearings, which can lead to lots of noise and vibration. It can even cause your wheel to detach from your Orlando Toyota. Finally, wheel pothole damage can cause misalignment of your wheels, which leads to all sorts of other expensive issues. It's not worth the stress and expenses - just drive around the pothole! Suspension Potholes can also damage your car's suspension and cause misalignment. This type of damage can also cause your suspension to bounce and dive, which can result in you losing control of your vehicle on the road. Plus, suspension is expensive to fix - don't risk it. Avoid driving over potholes when you can and go slowly if you find yourself in a situation where you can't avoid it. Undercarriage The undercarriage of your car is composed of important elements like your exhaust system, your catalytic converter, your muffler, your oil pan, and more. Hitting a pothole can scrape or dent these VIP parts on your Orlando Toyota. This can lead to oil leaks that damage your engine (which we all know is incredibly expensive to fix) as well as issues with your exhaust, which can be dangerous for you and your passengers. Our advice? This alone is enough reason to avoid pothole damage however you can. Body Pothole damage can also occur on the body of your car if the pothole is deep enough. You can scratch and dent your car's bumpers and sideskirts, leaving unsightly damage that isn't cheap to repair and reduces your car's resale value. And in some instances, if the pothole is deep enough, you can even damage your car's chassis or frame. We think you get the point... avoid potholes whenever you can. What to do if you think you have pothole damage If you couldn't avoid a pothole and think you might have pothole damage, here are some steps to take before heading into our Orlando Toyota Collision Center. Pull over. Take a minute to park your Orlando Toyota in a safe place and get out to ensure there's no damage to your car. Check your tires, wheels, and bumpers, and take a peek underneath your car to see if you see any damage or any leaks. Check for dashboard warning lights. If you see a new Toyota warning light in your dash after hitting a pothole, you definitely need to have your car checked out. Pay attention to how your car drives. Once you've hit the road again, be mindful of any odd noises, vibrations, or if your car is pulling to one side. If you notice any of these things you definitely need the experts at Toyota of Orlando to pinpoint the issue. How to avoid potholes The best way to prevent pothole damage is to avoid them altogether. We're making it simple™ - here are some tips on how to do just that. Pay attention - keep your eyes on the road at all times, especially on unfamiliar roads. Don't drive through puddles. You never know how deep they are or if the water is hiding destructive potholes. Don't follow other cars too closely. You won't have time to react if a pothole is in your path. Drive more slowly in the dark so you can better see the road in front of you and have time to go around a pothole. Stay on top of car maintenance - keep your car tires and suspension in good shape so there's less damage should you encounter an unavoidable pothole. If you find yourself forced to drive over a pothole, it's not the end of the world. Go as slowly as you can and keep a tight grip on the steering wheel to avoid it being jerked. Get pothole damage fixed at Toyota of Orlando Have pothole damage you need fixed? We're here to help. Stop by Toyota of Orlando at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Mall at Millenia.