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When you get behind the wheel of your Orlando Toyota, you definitely have a lot of gadgets to make your drive time easier. You'll find features and options like a push button start, Head Up Display, the Pre-Collision System, and Lane Keep Assist, just to name a few. However, one feature that nearly every new Toyota in Orlando comes with is cruise control. This handy feature makes your drive time a lot easier and less exhausting when you hit the highway.... but do you know how to properly use it? Some drivers are under the impression that they can just hit the cruise control button anytime and let their new Toyota do the rest. However, that's definitely not the case. It's a great tool to prevent leg fatigue on the highway, and it also helps you maintain a constant speed and can bump up fuel efficiency. However, there are certain times you shouldn't be using it, and we're listing them out for you! You can't use cruise control all the time in your new Toyota You shouldn't use cruise control when you're in traffic - it's designed to be utilized on the highway. If you try to use it in your new Toyota in Orlando during traffic, you're really just wasting your time - all the stopping and starting at traffic lights will cancel out any perks you may get from utilizing it. Additionally, it's dangerous, as you need to be moving with the ebb and flow of traffic, which means you need to be in complete control of your car. You should avoid using your cruise control feature while driving in rain, snow, or fog. These adverse conditions make it hard enough to control your new Orlando Toyota as is, and taking away the element of control when it comes to speed can be extremely dangerous. Keep your foot on the pedal if you're facing these types of weather conditions. If you're tired, you should definitely not use cruise control. It's a form of auto-pilot - you still have to steer your new Toyota, but you don't have to think about your speed. Combine this with fatigue and you're in danger of getting into an accident, so if you're sleepy, definitely keep yourself in charge of your car's speed to stay on task. In fact, it may be best to pull off the road and take a nap until you're more awake. Using cruise control at night also isn't the best idea. Nighttime means your visibility is a bit more limited, so you need that little extra bit of control to make sure you have the element of safety on your side. It'll also keep you more awake if you're in charge of monitoring your new Toyota's speed. Toyota of Orlando points you in the right direction Want more driving tips or to check out the latest and greatest Toyota technology? Come on down to our Orlando Toyota dealership - we're at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall, and we're open seven days a week.

Did you know that 94% of all traffic accidents are caused by driver error? And even scarier, 33% of those accidents happen because of road rage behaviors on the part of one or both of the drivers. Obviously, road rage is a big hazard when it comes to your drive time. Whether you're the one screaming behind the wheel or you're the victim of someone else's anger, everyone loses when it comes to road rage. That's why Toyota of Orlando has come up with tips to help you deal! Deal with your own road rage Sometimes, driving home in traffic after a long day is the last thing you want to do, and it's easy to become frustrated or angry when things don't go your way. So how do you stop yourself from engaging in road rage behaviors? Here are some Orlando Toyota tips: Don't rush - if you're in a hurry, you're more likely to get angry at delays. Give yourself extra time to get where you need to go and don't stress about being late (we know it's easier said than done but try). Try to calm yourself. Listen to your favorite music or a book on tape or talk on your phone via Bluetooth. Find ways to keep yourself occupied and distracted from other drivers' bad habits. Get comfortable. If you've got a long commute, consider changing into comfy clothes before you hit the road. Also, bring snacks and a drink so you aren't hungry or thirsty (which can cause you to get more easily annoyed). Set your climate control to a temperature you like, too. If you find yourself behaving rudely, try to make up for it - mouth "sorry" to the other driver, wave to them, etc. Deal with other drivers' road rage However, how do you deal with drivers out on the road who are directing their rage toward you? Here are some Toyota of Orlando tips: Don't take it personally. Try to stay polite and follow the rules of the road even if they aren't to avoid conflict and a possible accident. Keep your doors locked. If you find yourself in conflict with a driver who has road rage, make sure you lock all of your doors and stay in your car. You never know if their anger will turn into aggression toward you and your passengers. Avoid aggressive drivers on the road - if you notice someone cutting people off and swerving in and out of lanes or driving recklessly, try to stay as far away from them as possible to avoid a confrontation or collision. Report aggressive drivers by calling 911, especially if you find yourself threatened by one. The police can help you defuse the situation and deal with the other driver. And remember, there are consequences to road rage. Not only can it cause an accident, you can also be arrested, have to pay fines, or even face jail time. Keep your anger under control! Want more safe driving tips from Toyota of Orlando? Call us today at (407) 298-4500!

Hurricane season is officially here, and there are already two tropical storms swirling around out there - TS Cindy in the Gulf of Mexico, slated to hit the Gulf Coast states, and TS Bret, which petered into a tropical depression and is currently swamping Central America with copious amounts of rain. And the season just kicked off a mere 20 days ago! If this is any indication of what the year is going to be like, then it's time to start working on hurricane preparedness NOW. Toyota of Orlando has tips so you're ready when the weather turns! Toyota of Orlando shares hurricane prep tips Tip #1: Have two plans - one if you're going to stay, and one if you're going to evacuate. This is an element of hurricane preparedness that can save you a lot of time, stress, and money. Decide what parameters will precipitate an evacuation and if you're going to get out of town, when you're going to do it and where you're going to go. If you have pets, ensure your final destination will let them in. Tip #2: If you're going to evacuate, plan your route ahead of time and have an alternate route just in case of bad traffic. Be sure to gas your car up before you leave, and pack your vehicle with the necessities - medicine, change of clothes, toiletries, cell phone chargers, snacks, bottled water, a paper map, and any important documents that you need to take with you. (Think birth certificates, social security cards, titles, deeds, etc.). Don't forget supplies for your pets, too! Tip #3: If you're staying in town, still gas up your car before the storm arrives. You never know what's going to happen with the power and if you'll be able to gas up once the storm has passed. Pick a place to park - you'll want to be on higher ground to avoid damage from flooding, and be away from trees and power lines. Parking in a garage or covered parking structure is your best option if you can make it happen, according to our Orlando Toyota specialists. Hurricane preparedness can save you a lot of time and money Tip #4: Before you park your Orlando Toyota, prepare your car for the storm. This includes removing any and all important documents from the vehicle, as well as any valuables. Also, take pictures of your car as part of your hurricane preparedness routine - this can make insurance claims move faster and be less stressful if your ride gets damaged. Consider covering it with a tarp to help ward off damage from small debris (just strap it down well), and also taping the windows - it won't keep them from breaking, but it will make glass cleanup a little easier. Tip #5: Keep your car well-maintenanced. The last thing you need when you're trying to evacuate is a flat tire or an overheated engine. Staying on top of routine Orlando car maintenance will save you a lot of time and money when the storm is about to hit, so schedule those routine tire rotations, oil changes, coolant checks, battery service, and brake service. You'll thank us! We're ready for hurricane season - are you? Schedule your auto service and get more hurricane preparedness tips by calling Toyota of Orlando today! (407) 298-4500

Are you thinking about trading in your old ride to get yourself a new set of wheels? Here at Toyota of Orlando, we'll offer you top dollar cash for your car, since we're always in need of used cars for our lot. However, what actually happens when you trade in your car? We're here to fill you in on the process, as well as give you tips on how to prepare for it. Let's get started! Are you ready to trade in your old ride? When you get to our dealership, the first thing you'll do is tell the salesperson who greets you that you're there to trade in your car. They'll take your information to get everything in the system, and also to pull a vehicle history report on your car to check for accidents, etc. Our used car director will then take your keys and perform a bumper-to-bumper visual inspection of your vehicle. They'll check over the general condition, as well as take a peek under the hood. Additionally, our Orlando Toyota specialist will turn your car on to ensure it's running smoothly, the gadgets are working, and the air-conditioning is running (a must-have here in Central Florida). Finally, depending on the vehicle, our team will take your car for a short test drive to check its handling. After that, our team will pull up information regarding the trade in value of your car and decide what condition it's in... from there, they'll settle on an offer to make you. And we offer cash on the spot if you're happy with the offer, even if you decide you're not going to buy your next car from us! Toyota of Orlando makes trading in and trading up easier than ever So how can you prepare to trade in your car? Here are some steps to take before you arrive at Toyota of Orlando: Look up the trade-in value of your car before you arrive - this will help you decide if you're comfortable with the offer that our team makes you. Wash and wax your car, and vacuum the inside. You'll be surprised at what a little elbow grease can do to a car's appearance! A good coat of wax can bring a paint job back to life, and a vacuumed interior can make a car a whole lot more appealing. Fill in small paint scratches and fix little dings. It doesn't take a lot of time or money on your part, but it definitely makes a difference in your car's appearance. Also, consider shampooing the carpets and upholstery to do away with any stains. Take care of small fixes - we're talking a burnt out headlight bulb or a blown fuse. They're inexpensive to fix, but the less work the buyer has to do, the better. Gather up your paperwork! You'll want to provide service records (this proves the car has been well-maintained), and the car's title. And don't forget to bring extra key fobs with you to hand over, too! <span data-mce-type="bookmark" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> Ready to trade in your car? Call us today to schedule an appointment - we're open seven days a week until 10pm at (407) 298-4500!

When you're behind the wheel, it should be your top priority to drive safely. However, that's sometimes easier said than done. With the rainy season kicking off here in Central Florida, we're set to find wet roads clogged with traffic and fender benders. Those little afternoon thunderstorms can make a big impact on your drive time, so Toyota of Orlando is here to share tips on how to drive safely and make it to your destination as quickly and easily as possible. Learn how to drive safely when the weather is wet Tip #1: Prep your car. We know the rainy season is here, so make sure your car is ready for it. Toyota of Orlando's auto service center can check your brakes, tires, headlights, and wipers for you before hit the road. We also conduct a free multi-point inspection whenever you bring your car in for service, so we can pinpoint anything else that might cause an issue when you're driving in the rain. Schedule an appointment today! Tip #2: Defensive driving is your friend. If you're going to drive safely in the rain, you're going to need to use defensive driving. This is basically just being super-aware of what's going on so you can avoid accidents altogether instead of just reacting to them when they're happening. To employ this technique, you're going to need to do away with distractions, follow the rules of the road, leave plenty of distance between your car and other vehicles, and be sure take things slowly when the roads are wet. Tip #3: Check the forecast AND traffic. A lot of our Orlando Toyota cars come decked out with technology that can help you find alternate routes if wet weather is impeding yours. We recommend checking the weather forecast AND traffic before you start out for your destination. It can save you a lot of time and frustration if you know off the bat that you need to find an alternate route, or you know that you're going to have to travel a bit more slowly due to heavy rain. Prepare for driving in the rain with Toyota of Orlando Tip #4: Use your headlights. Lots of people forget to use their headlights when it's raining during the day, but it should be a habit of yours. Using your headlights allows other drivers to see you more clearly, especially when the rain is heavy and impedes vision. Put yours to use to drive safely! Side note: You should never drive with your caution lights on, even in heavy rain. They're only for use if you're parked on the side of the road. Tip #5: Avoid puddles. You never know how deep water is just by glancing at it, so our Orlando Toyota dealership recommends avoiding puddles if you can. Driving through suddenly deep water can damage your engine bay and the electrical components of your car. It's better to be safe than sorry - drive around the puddle if possible and if need be, drive through it but stick to the sides. Need to get your car prepped to drive safely in the rain? Call Toyota of Orlando today at (407) 298-4500!