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Summer is almost here! While the "official" start of summer is June 21, here in Florida we know that the season kicks off around Memorial Day Weekend when temperatures climb and beach weekends become part of the routine. However, hitting the road is different in every season, and summer is no exception. That's why we've come up with a list of summer driving safety tips spanning lots of different areas. Check it out before you hit the highway this summer. Don't hit the highway this summer without these driving safety tips Tip #1: Be ready for blowouts. Hot weather takes a toll on your tires - the pavement is a lot warmer and makes your tires work hard, and the hot air inside of your tires causes them to expand. If they're not in the greatest shape already, you're at risk for a blowout. Have our Orlando auto service techs inspect them to ensure they can handle summer driving, especially if you're traveling long distances. Tip #2: Watch out for teens. School is out during summer and there are a lot more teens on the road. Scarily enough, more teen driving deaths happen in the summer than any other time of year. Be sure to avoid distracted driving and pay close attention to your surroundings so you can prevent accidents rather than just react to them as they're happening. If you have a teen hitting the road in your household, be sure that they're schooled in driving safety and have had plenty of practice before you hand over the keys. Tip #3: Prepare for traffic. There are more drivers on the road in the summer because school is out and lots of people tend to travel. Know how to safely handle congested roads and be sure to check your route before you head out - you may want to take an alternate way to avoid traffic and save time. Tip #4: Be careful when towing. Summer is prime time to hitch up your boat, load up your bikes, and connect that new camping trailer to find some fun in the sun. However, if your vehicle isn't equipped with the right equipment or you aren't familiar with towing driving safety, you could be in a world of trouble. Make sure your ride is hitched up correctly and that you stay within your weight limits (our Toyota of Orlando techs can help you figure this all out), and study up on towing safety before you actually hit the highway. Tip #5: Don't let your car overheat, leaving you stranded. Make sure you're up to date on routine auto service like oil changes and fluid checks so your car can handle the higher temps without batting an eye. Our Orlando Toyota service center can help you stay on a schedule so you're ready for anything. Toyota of Orlando can get your ride road-ready for summer Call us today to schedule auto service or learn more about towing driving safety - we're open seven days a week and ready to help! You can reach us all summer at (407) 298-4500.

The weekend is here, and the weather is warm! Summer is upon us and now is the perfect time to soak up the sun, sand, and sea. Which beach do you prefer to hit that's close to Central Florida? Luckily for us, there are plenty of options depending on your mood and what you want to get out of the day. Toyota of Orlando is here to share the five best beaches within close driving distance of the city beautiful. #1: Cocoa Beach Cocoa Beach is about an hour from Orlando and it's a straight highway shot, making the drive easy. You'll find a party atmosphere with plenty of bars and restaurants to start/end the fun at, as well as a ton of shops - including the iconic Ron Jons - to peruse for beach gear and souvenirs. There's also a pier (check out the fishing spots), picnic pavilions, and views of Cape Canaveral if you happen to visit the day of a rocket launch. #2: New Smyrna Beach New Smyrna Beach is also about an hour from Orlando. It's a family-friendly option - you can drive your car onto the sand in certain spots for a fee, saving you from lugging endless beach toys and towels with you. There are lifeguard patrols to give you peace of mind, and you'll find a boardwalk and a pier to explore as well as a small water park and plenty of local restaurants. Plus, you're extremely close to Daytona International Speedway. #3: Clearwater Beach Head to the west coast of Florida to check out the beach voted one of the best - Clearwater Beach. It's about a two-hour drive but it's worth the hike. You'll find a fishing pier and a plethora of water sports that allow you to enjoy the Gulf, as well as endless restaurants, shops, and family attractions. There's a marina, scenic cruises, and cabanas that you can rent for the day if you want to get out of the sun. #4: Treasure Island Treasure Island is also on the west coast and around two hours when it comes to drive time. This beach has a very "Old Florida" vibe and is a calmer, more family-friendly and relaxing atmosphere if you want some peace and quiet. You'll find deep sea fishing, calm beaches, and a convenient trolley to get you around town, including to the historic downtown district for food, drinks, and shopping. #5: Port Canaveral Head up to Canaveral National Seashore this weekend - it's about a 50-minute drive from Orlando and offers plenty of wildlife spotting. You'll see fish, birds, sea turtles, and more. There are sand dunes to explore and you'll love the fishing opportunities as well as quiet, secluded beaches to relax on. Wherever your weekend takes you, we hope you enjoy your time at the beach. Remember, never drink and drive and be sure to operate your vehicle carefully, especially on the highway! And don't forget to visit Toyota of Orlando is you need some quick auto service before you hit the road. Have a great weekend!

Have you heard that the all-new Toyota Prius will have all-wheel drive in the 2019 model year? It's a first for this groundbreaking hybrid and quite a few drivers are excited about it. However, is all-wheel drive really a feature you need? Toyota of Orlando is here to break down the ins and outs of this unique features to help you decide if it's something you should include next time you shop for a new ride. What is all-wheel drive? First of all, what is it? All-wheel drive is - to put it simply - the ability of a vehicle to send power to all four wheels, whether on demand or continuously. Most vehicles out on the road are front-wheel drive, which means power is only sent to the front two tires on the vehicle. This can be problematic, especially if you're driving a heavier vehicle like an SUV or a truck and especially if you have a lot of heavy cargo in the rear of your ride. What are the perks of all-wheel drive? The main benefit of this feature is that it provides your Orlando Toyota with much better traction. Since power is being sent to all four wheels, if one starts to slip, the other three can compensate for it and help you regain traction more efficiently and quickly. This is especially helpful if you're driving in snow or other slick conditions, or if you're taking things off the pavement and need a little extra grab for the terrain. This feature can even help in rainy conditions (which we see plenty of here in Orlando). What are the possible drawbacks of this feature? However, this feature isn't for everyone. Here are some things to weigh out if you're debating getting all-wheel drive on your next Orlando Toyota: These vehicles tend to be more expensive - AWD cars can be up to a few thousand dollars more than FWD vehicles. They're also more expensive to maintain and repair. AWD systems are more complex than FWD systems because they're sending power to four wheels, not just two. This means more parts to maintain and repair and subsequently, more costs. They reduce gas mileage. This system means your vehicle is heavier so your engine has to work harder to get it going and this can eat into your fuel economy. Front-wheel drive can sometimes do the job. Here in Orlando, for example, we don't see snow. EVER. We do get our fair share of rain and we've even see frost warnings from time to time, but you'll never see heavy snow or severe icy conditions in the City Beautiful. Front-wheel drive can handle rain just fine, especially with the advent of anti-lock brakes and traction control to give drivers better handling. You can also opt for winter tires - they're not as effective in bad winter weather, but they're still better than winging it in a FWD car all winter long. Still not sure if you need all-wheel drive? Call us - our Orlando Toyota sales specialists can walk you through the pros and cons again! We're open seven days a week at 3575 Vineland Road and you can reach us at (407) 298-4500.

Do you feel like you could use a little more confidence when it comes to getting behind the wheel? You're not alone; a lot of drivers are intimidated by the thought of commandeering their own car. However, it's easy to become a more confident driver and Toyota of Orlando is here to help. Check out our tips that you can easily and efficiently put into practice on your own to become a more confident driver and feel at home behind the wheel. Toyota of Orlando's tips to make yourself a more confident driver Tip #1: Practice. Practice makes perfect, right? The more you drive, the more of a confident driver you'll be. And we suggest driving all over Orlando - expose yourself to highways, suburban streets, city traffic, and rural roads. The more you see, the more accustomed you'll be to it when you see it again! Tip #2: Hit the road solo. It's tempting to take a copilot with you every time you hit the road for some solidarity - we get it. However, while this is helpful when you first start driving, you shouldn't make it a habit. Learning how to navigate and safely take on the roads by yourself is a major part of being a confident driver. After all, you may not always have someone available to ride with you. Tip #3: Educate yourself. Knowing the basics of the road can instill major confidence in you as a driver. Learn the rules of the road, the safe driving habits you should be employing when you're behind the wheel, and teach yourself how to do things like merge, change lanes, drive in bad weather conditions, navigate school zones, handle traffic, etc. You'll be a better driver for it. Tip #4: Plan your route. Even if you're hitting the road right here in Orlando, knowing where you're going and how you're getting there can make you more confident. Plan your route before you leave the house; you can use the navigation and traffic apps installed in your Toyota (and this will also help you avoid bad traffic and delays). This gives you a better idea of what to expect when you're out on the road. Tip #5: Follow the road rules. Do you know the basic rules of the road? These include things like how four-way stops work, who has the right of way in certain situations, when to use your turn signals, where to find the speed limits, etc. A basic driver's ed course (you can even take them online) can help you refresh and cement your knowledge of road rules. Do you know the ins and outs of what goes on under the hood? Tip #6: Have a basic knowledge of how your car works. It can throw any driver into a pit of anxiety when they see a light come on in the dashboard. Have a basic knowledge of how your Orlando Toyota works under the hood and how to handle common car emergencies like overheating, a flat tire, brakes that stop working, and collisions. Want more tips on how to be a confident driver or want some info on how your Toyota works? Visit Toyota of Orlando today at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.

When it comes to buying your first car - or your teen driver's first car, for that matter - you have to strike a fine balance. You want something safe and reliable, but you also want it to be affordable so you're not blowing your budget on the monthly payment, and you want it to be appealing in terms of appearance and technology. It can be a difficult mix to achieve, checking all of those boxes. But the Orlando Toyota Yaris does it with style, and that's what makes it such a great starter car for first-time buyers, those on a budget, and anyone else who wants something exceptional but economical. Here are some of the reasons we highly recommend it! The 2019 Toyota Yaris is a perfect first car Price: The 2019 Toyota Yaris comes in three trim-levels - the L, LE, and XLE - giving you lots of flexibility when it comes to finding the right car with the right features. However, its starting MSRP is just $15,450, making it ultra-affordable for anyone looking for a new ride. Plus, we have great Orlando Toyota specials on ALL models to give you an even bigger break on the price. Not to mention, this fuel-efficient ride gets 30/39 mpg so you'll save money even after you sign. Safety and reliability: The 2019 Toyota Yaris may be economical, but it doesn't skimp on safety or reliability features. It comes decked out with a suite of safety tech you'll love, including features like: An Active Safety System with Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control, Brake Assist, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Anti-Lock Brake System, and Brake Override System An Advanced Airbag System with 6 airbags A low-speed pre-collision system LATCH system for car seats 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions A Tire Pressure Monitoring System And even a first aid kit. Your bases are covered, and you can rest easy knowing that 80% of all Toyotas sold in the past 20 years are STILL out on the roads. Get everything you want in this new Orlando Toyota Style: The responsible side of you wants safety, reliability, and affordability. But you can't deny that there's a part of you that wants a stylish ride, too. We think you'll find that the 2019 Toyota Yaris fits the bill. It comes with options like LED headlights and daytime running lights, fog lights, a rear spoiler, 16" split-spoke alloy wheels, a chrome-tipped exhaust... we could keep going, and that's only the exterior. The interior offers premium highlights like sport bucket front seats and leatherette trim, a cool metallic interior trim with chrome accents, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. Technology: Connectivity is key and you'll have plenty of it in this new Orlando Toyota. It comes with a 7" touchscreen audio system that gives you access to Stitcher and Aha Radio, Sirius XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth for calls and music, and more. You'll also find an integrated backup camera, integrated navigation, two USB 2.0 ports, automatic climate control, the Smart Key System with push button start, and both Normal and Sport driving modes. Ready to make the new Toyota Yaris yours? Come down to Toyota of Orlando today to test drive. We're open seven days a week at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.

Thinking about making your next ride a pickup truck? There's no better place to shop than Toyota of Orlando. We've got a great selection of new Toyota trucks on the lot including the versatile Toyota Tacoma and the workhorse Toyota Tundra. However, if you're still on the fence about this particular vehicle type, we're here to help. Today we're talking the pros and cons of owning a pickup truck to help you firm up your decision. Pros of owning a pickup truck There are a lot of benefits to owning a pickup truck, especially if your job or lifestyle calls for one. Here are some of the main high points we hear our Orlando Toyota customers talk about. Power and towing capabilities. If you need a vehicle with a lot of horsepower and torque, then a truck should be your go-to. Trucks allow for powerful performance and above-average capabilities when it comes to getting cargo around town. You'll be able to haul much heavier loads in the bed than you would in a car or SUV's trunk, and you'll also be able to tow much heavier items behind your truck (the Orlando Toyota Tundra, for example, can tow over 10,000 lbs). Off-roading. Like taking things off the pavement? You should definitely opt for a truck! Our Toyota trucks come decked out with a variety of accessories that make off-roading easier than ever. You'll find tech and performance highlights like four-wheel drive, active traction control, CRAWL Control, tow hooks, skid plates, and multi-terrain select. Wherever adventure is calling, you'll be able to find it. Interior space AND cargo space. Some people think trucks fall short on interior space since they have a big bed in the back. They're actually wrong - trucks nowadays offer spacious cabs that can easily seat up to five with plenty of leg room to spare. And on top of that, truck beds are great for cargo whether you're getting suitcases to the airport or hauling furniture to your new apartment. Cons of owning a pickup truck Here are some of the perceived downsides of owning this type of Orlando Toyota. Fuel efficiency. Trucks won't get as good of fuel efficiency as a smaller passenger car or compact SUV. They're larger and have bigger engines, so that power is the trade-off for higher MPGs. Variety. Let's face it - between sedans, hatchbacks, coupes, and hybrids, you have a lot more variety when it comes to passenger cars than you do with trucks. Luckily, our trucks at Toyota of Orlando are pretty customizable so you'll still be able to find the features you need. Space. You'll have more interior and cargo space, but this also means you're going to be commandeering a larger vehicle around town. If you don't like driving a big ride, then a truck probably isn't right for you. Why not see for yourself and take a test drive? Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.

Does your day-to-day commute entail you hitting the highway for at least part of your drive time? If so, then you know it's a whole different ballgame than driving in the city or in suburbia. It can be intimidating - you're moving at high speeds and during rush hour you may also face major congestion (hello, I-4). Toyota of Orlando wants to help! We're here with tips to help you be a better safe driver on the highway. Be a better safe driver on the highway Tip #1: Know how to merge. Merging is tricky even at the best of times, and it can be downright dangerous in heavy traffic. Be sure to use your turn signals to indicate your movements and move with the flow of traffic - don't zoom ahead and cut people off, and don't go so slowly that you cause traffic to build up. Tip #2: Follow the speed limit. Everyone knows that there's a maximum speed limit on the highway (which you should abide by), but there's ALSO a minimum speed limit. It's typically listed and it's illegal for you to drive under that limit because it can slow up the flow of traffic and cause an accident. Tip #3: Don't engage in distracted driving. Distracted driving is dangerous enough in itself, but when you engage in distractions at high speeds, it's even more dangerous. Put away your phone, keep your hands on the wheel, and keep your eyes on the road. You'll be a better safe driver for it. Tip #4: Check your blind spots. Before you change lanes or make movements on the highway, be sure to check your blind spots. Cars are traveling at a higher rate of speed and can creep into those blind spots quickly. Tip #5: Avoid pulling over if you can help it. If you HAVE to pull over, do it - but only in an emergency. It's dangerous to pull over on a highway because the cars are moving so quickly. Our Orlando Toyota dealership recommends trying to make it to the next exit if possible. Tip #6: Know how to react to emergency vehicles. If an ambulance is passing you on the highway with its sirens on, you should get into the right lane and slow down - but DON'T stop. Most safe drivers don't even realize this! Stopping can put you in a dangerous position. Tip #7: Use the left lane for passing. The left lane is used for PASSING on the highway so people can get by slower drivers. You should drive in the right lanes but only use the left lane for passing - don't sit in it, as you could be slowing down other drivers behind you. Let Toyota of Orlando get your car highway-ready Want to be a better safe driver on the highway? Another big part of that is keeping your car in excellent shape when it comes to car maintenance. Let Toyota of Orlando help! We can get you affordable auto service in a hurry and we're conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road. Visit our Orlando Toyota service center today.

Spring break is coming! Universities and schools across the country will be calling off classes in a matter of weeks, the weather is warming up, and it's time to hit the road for a spring break road trip. Is your car ready to hit the highway? Don't run the risk of wasting your beach days stuck on the road with a flat tire or dead battery - use our Toyota of Orlando spring break road trip checklist to get your car prepped for the best vacation ever. Make your spring break road trip the best one yet #1: Get your tires checked. The last thing you want is a flat tire or a blowout when you're heading for the highway. Have our Orlando auto service techs check your car's tires. They'll look for things like uneven wear, bulges or blisters, lack of tread, and inflation level to ensure they're at the correct PSI. They can also do a quick tire rotation for you if you're due for one. #2: Have our auto service techs inspect your battery. Dead batteries are a real drag, especially when you're trying to make the most of your week off. Have our techs check things out under the hood before you tackle your road trip! They'll inspect your car battery for any visible damage (like swelling, rusting, or leaks) and test the voltage to ensure it's up to the challenge. If it's not, they can also quickly, efficiently, and affordably replace your battery on the spot. #3: Change your car's oil. Oil keeps your car's engine cool and lubricated, which is essential when you're on a road trip and you're traveling long distances at high speeds. Your engine is going to be working overtime, so make sure it has fresh, clean oil in the oil reservoir. Our techs will check the oil level and cleanliness and get you a quick oil change if necessary. #4: Don't ignore your headlights and wipers. We hope for your sake that it doesn't rain on your spring break getaway, but you should be prepared for it just in case (spring is unpredictable!). Check your wiper blades to ensure they're in good condition, and have our techs check out your headlights to ensure all the bulbs are in good shape and your turn signals, brake lights, and hazard lights are all working. #5: Make sure your fluid levels are where they should be. Before you take on the open road, check out the fluids under the hood. Two big ones are coolant and windshield wiper fluid - coolant keeps your car running cool when it's working hard, and you need wiper fluid to keep your field of vision clear. While you're at Toyota of Orlando, have our expert techs check ALL of the fluids in your car so you're all set. Let Toyota of Orlando get you road trip ready Don't risk ruining your spring break - swing by Toyota of Orlando to ensure you're ready to hit the road before you go! We're open seven days a week with the longest service hours in Central Florida and we're ready to get you out on the highway. Visit us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall!

Do you consider yourself to be a safe driver? Even if you think you're a pro when it comes to following the rules of the road and respecting your fellow travelers, there's always room for improvement... right? Toyota of Orlando is here with 8 tips to improve your day-to-day drive time even more and make you a better safe driver in the long run! #1: Educate yourself when it comes to defensive driving. Are you well-versed in defensive driving? This method of driving teaches you to be proactive and avoid accidents and collisions rather than just reacting to them as they happen. Get more tips from Toyota of Orlando, or invest in a defensive driving class to learn these skills. #2: Learn how to park. Learn  how to park properly at an angle, in a perpendicular spot, and parallel. Some tips to remember? Make sure the spot can actually fit your car (and it isn't too small), be mindful of your doors when you get out, and always try to park in well-lit and populated areas to avoid a car break-in. Relearn the basics to be a better safe driver #3: Never drive when you're tired. Driving when you're tired is just as dangerous as driving when you're drunk. Your chances of getting into an accident get much higher when you drive fatigued. Try to take a nap and caffeinate before you hit the road, or consider postponing your trip until you've gotten some sleep. #4: Know how to merge into traffic. Merging can be tricky and stressful, and it's also dangerous if you don't do it right. Learn how to merge properly - use your turn signal to indicate your movements and don't cut people off. Your best bet is to travel the speed limit and take your turn sliding into the flow of traffic, but don't go so slowly that you hold up traffic. #5: School yourself on how to handle difficult driving situations. Driving can be scary. You should teach yourself or take a course so you're comfortable driving in heavy rain, snow, on ice, in heavy traffic, and in extremely dark conditions (like on an unlit road at night). #6: Practice your skills. The best way to be a better safe driver is to practice the skills. It's easy to tune out in the driver's seat with a Spotify playlist or new podcast, but try to be mindful of your driving habits at all times so you sharpen your skills even further. Use Orlando Toyota tech to help you tackle the open road #7: Be aware of your blind spots. Do you know where your blind spots are and how to check them? All vehicles have them, but luckily there are ways around this danger. A lot of our Orlando Toyotas have blind spot monitors in them that will alert you to another vehicle in your blind spot, and you can also adjust your rearview and side mirrors to give you a clear field of vision in these areas. #8: Hold the wheel correctly. To be a better safe driver, you need to keep both hands on the wheel at all time. We used to be told that you should keep your hands at 10 and 2 on the wheel, but now experts recommend keeping them at 9 and 3 or even 8 and 4 for better control. Want more tips on how to be a better safe driver, or want to check out the safety tech on our cars? Come down to Toyota of Orlando today - we're just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road.

So you're about to start your car shopping journey. It can seem like it takes forever - you do a ton of research, explore your options online, read reviews, and finally choose a dealership so you can go check the car out. Are you exhausted yet? Some people think that doing research online is enough to make their final decision, but Toyota of Orlando is here to beg to differ. We know that some car dealers allow you to shop online and will drop the car in your driveway faster than Amazon Prime, but you're missing out on a vital part of the process. Before you let the ink dry on the dotted line, you HAVE to get behind the wheel for a test drive, and we're here to tell you why. Why is a test drive so necessary? Reason #1: You can see if it's comfortable. You want to make sure the car you choose is comfortable - after all, you'll be spending a lot of time in the driver's seat. That's why a test drive is important. You can hop behind the wheel and make sure it's comfy, and you can check to see that you can easily reach all the knobs, dials, and buttons you need access to. You can also check for blind spots and make sure that the backseat is big enough for your passenger load and any car seats or booster seats you'll need to install. Reason #2: You can do a little inspection. If you take a test drive before you sign the dotted line, you can conduct a quick inspection of the car. This means things like checking the cabin for stains, smells, or damage to the fabrics and trim. You can also examine the exterior for any body damage or signs of an accident and you can pop the hood and check under the car to look for damage or leaks. Finally, you can get the car up and running so you can listen for odd sounds and be on the lookout for weird odors. Reason #3: You can check out how the car handles. When you get behind the wheel and hit the road, you get your shot to see how the car handles. Does it have the acceleration you want? How does it feel when it brakes? Can you take turns the way you want? What about parking - is it easy to park in both perpendicular and parallel spots? Give yourself options at Toyota of Orlando Reason #4: You still have room to change your mind and explore other options. If you climb into the driver's seat and decide this ride isn't for you, you can walk away... and you've got a whole lot full of other options at Toyota of Orlando. Our product specialists can show you to other vehicles that are similar to the one you initially chose but might be a better fit. Reason #5: You can ask more questions and get better answers. If you visit our Orlando Toyota dealership in person, you can ask our sales and product specialists in-depth questions about the car during the test drive and they can show you the answers in person... which is a lot more informative and helpful than chatting online. Are YOU ready to take your test drive? Schedule it today at Toyota of Orlando - call (407) 298-4500.

Is your teen driver about to hit the road solo for the first time? It's pretty nerve-wracking for any parent, and here at Toyota of Orlando we get it. That's why we've gathered up the top nine tips for teen drivers so you can prep your new driver for whatever may come their way when they climb into the driver's seat. What should you teach your teen driver before they hit the road? Tip #1: Choose a safe (and practical) car. It's tempting fate to put your teen driver behind the wheel of a sports car or a fast truck - it's a wiser option to put them into something practical and safe when you're sending them out on the road solo. Consider Orlando Toyota cars like the Toyota Yaris, Corolla, RAV4, and Camry, for starters! Tip #2: Teach them defensive driving. It's good to teach your teen to obey the rules of the road, but you should also teach them defensive driving skills so they can avoid an accident BEFORE it happens. This means doing away with distracted driving, for starters. Tip #3: No texting. At all. Ever. Make texting a no-no - you can even download apps that will lock their phones while the car is in motion so they're not tempted to even look at incoming texts when behind the wheel. Tip #4: Make seatbelts a non-negotiable. Set a good example and always wear your seatbelt and teach your teens that driving without one is not allowed, period. The car shouldn't leave the driveway until everyone in it is buckled up. Tip #5: Review the rules of the road one more time. Is your teen driver perfectly clear on the rules of the road? Make sure they know the basics and are competent enough to drive before you turn them loose. Tip #6: Limit passengers. It's a good idea to limit the number of passengers that your teen has in the car with them at first - passengers can be big distractions. Driving solo is your best bet for the first few months, and then you can slowly increase the number of passengers allowed. Tip #7: Teach them basic car maintenance. Teach your teen how to care for your Orlando Toyota and the importance of oil changes, tire rotations, brake service, fluid checks, and letting you know if they hear or see something odd, or if a dashboard light comes on. Tip #8: Go over common car emergencies. Does your teen know what to do if they get a flat tire? What if they have a dead car battery? How about an overheated vehicle? Teach them the ins and outs of common car problems and what they should do. Tip #9: Fill them in on what to do in an accident. Make sure your teen driver knows what to do after a car accident - who to call, the steps to take, and how to react. Shop safe new Orlando Toyotas today Ready to turn your teen driver loose? Get them into a safe new Toyota today - shop Toyota of Orlando at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.

Here in Orlando, we get pretty mild winter weather (thank goodness). We never have to deal with heavy snow and we rarely have ice on the roads. However, we get a handful of cold nights during the year and if the temps dip low enough and your car is parked in the shade, you could wake up to ice on your windshield. Not to mention, if you head out of town in the winter you're more than likely to find yourself in need of some windshield de-icing. Toyota of Orlando is here with winter weather car care tips to help you de-ice your windshield like a pro and hit the road with a clear field of vision. Tip #1: Don't use hot water. DO NOT EVER use hot water to try and melt the ice off of your windshield - it can end in disaster. Hot water hitting the icy cold surface of your windshield can actually cause the glass to crack or shatter from the temperature differences. If you have to use water, use lukewarm water to try and loosen the ice a little. Tip #2: Avoid using vinegar. Another common myth is that you can use vinegar to remove ice from your windshield. Our car care experts advise against this - vinegar can damage the plastic and paint on your vehicle, so you want to avoid pouring it on your vehicle at all (even the windshield). Tip #3: Don't try to clear ice with your windshield wipers. Don't use your wipers to try and scrape frost or ice off the windshield when you face winter weather. It's not effective, first of all, and can easily damage or shred the rubber on the wiper blades. This means they'll be ineffective from that point on and you'll have to replace them ASAP. Tip #4: Run your defroster for a few minutes. Running the defroster in your car can help loosen up the ice a little bit, so climb into the driver's seat and warm both yourself and the windshield up before you get to scraping out in the cold. Tip #5: Avoid using a metal scraper - opt for plastic. A metal scraper can damage the glass windshield, leaving scratches and scrapes that impeded your field of vision. Instead, opt for a plastic scraper - one with a brush on the other end is super handy because then you don't have to use your hands to brush off the ice and frost. However, don't scrape TOO hard - even hard plastic can scratch your windshield. There are de-icer sprays on the market, but living here in Orlando, it's not really that cost-effective to buy them since we see ice and harsh winter weather so infrequently. Your best bet is to buy a plastic scraper and just keep it in the trunk in case you need it! Need more car care advice or want to grab a scraper? Ask our auto service experts at Toyota of Orlando - they're here 7 days a week with the info you need at (407) 298-0001!