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Summer is coming - things are already heating up here in Central Florida as we faced record highs in the 90s this weekend. With summer comes some pretty intense sun, and that sun can do some serious damage to your car if you're not prepared for it. Toyota of Orlando is here with quick car care tips to help you protect your car from the sun all summer long. Use these 6 tips to protect your ride Tip #1: Wax Wax is your #1 defense against the sun if you want your car's paint to stay looking like-new. Our Orlando auto service center recommends that you invest in a quality wax and apply several coats to your car a few times a year as part of your car care routine - every three months should do the job to protect your car's paint from harsh UV rays that can cause fading and peeling. Ask the Toyota of Orlando parts store which wax is best for your ride. Tip #2: Park in the shade If you can park in covered parking, do it. It doesn't matter if it's a garage, a carport, or even a big, shady tree - any cover you can afford your Orlando Toyota will help shield if from the sun. Tip #3: Invest in a sunshade A sunshade will help protect your car's dash and interior from the sun. You should get a quality one (the cheap ones tend to be too flimsy to last long) and put it up in your windshield every time you park your car. This simple car care step will also help keep things cooler in the interior of your car. Tip #4: Consider tint Tint is another great way to shield the interior of your car from the sun AND keep things cooler. And the best news? We offer affordable tinting services right here at Toyota of Orlando. Schedule an appointment today at our auto service center. Toyota of Orlando's car care routine to protect your ride from the sun Tip #5: Buy seat covers and a steering wheel cover Still concerned about the interior of your car? You should be - sunlight coming in the windows and windshield can fade your upholstery and the plastic in your car. It can also cause leather seats to crack. Seat covers and a steering wheel cover can protect your interior as well as offer a more affordable way to switch up the look of the interior. Tip #6: Condition leather well We mentioned that the sun can do a number on leather seats, shifters, and steering wheels. Seat covers and a sunshade are a great deterrent to this damage, but you should still ensure that you condition anything leather well and make it a normal part of your car care routine. Want more tips? Think you need to shop for supplies? Call Toyota of Orlando today! We're open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001 or you can stop by our auto parts store at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.

Summer is coming - things are already heating up here in Central Florida as we faced record highs in the 90s this weekend. With summer comes some pretty intense sun, and that sun can do some serious damage to your car if you're not prepared for it. Toyota of Orlando is here with quick car care tips to help you protect your car from the sun all summer long. Use these 6 tips to protect your ride Tip #1: Wax Wax is your #1 defense against the sun if you want your car's paint to stay looking like-new. Our Orlando auto service center recommends that you invest in a quality wax and apply several coats to your car a few times a year as part of your car care routine - every three months should do the job to protect your car's paint from harsh UV rays that can cause fading and peeling. Ask the Toyota of Orlando parts store which wax is best for your ride. Tip #2: Park in the shade If you can park in covered parking, do it. It doesn't matter if it's a garage, a carport, or even a big, shady tree - any cover you can afford your Orlando Toyota will help shield if from the sun. Tip #3: Invest in a sunshade A sunshade will help protect your car's dash and interior from the sun. You should get a quality one (the cheap ones tend to be too flimsy to last long) and put it up in your windshield every time you park your car. This simple car care step will also help keep things cooler in the interior of your car. Tip #4: Consider tint Tint is another great way to shield the interior of your car from the sun AND keep things cooler. And the best news? We offer affordable tinting services right here at Toyota of Orlando. Schedule an appointment today at our auto service center. Toyota of Orlando's car care routine to protect your ride from the sun Tip #5: Buy seat covers and a steering wheel cover Still concerned about the interior of your car? You should be - sunlight coming in the windows and windshield can fade your upholstery and the plastic in your car. It can also cause leather seats to crack. Seat covers and a steering wheel cover can protect your interior as well as offer a more affordable way to switch up the look of the interior. Tip #6: Condition leather well We mentioned that the sun can do a number on leather seats, shifters, and steering wheels. Seat covers and a sunshade are a great deterrent to this damage, but you should still ensure that you condition anything leather well and make it a normal part of your car care routine. Want more tips? Think you need to shop for supplies? Call Toyota of Orlando today! We're open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001 or you can stop by our auto parts store at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.

Do you feel confident that you engage in safe driving whenever you get behind the wheel? Most people do - but some of them are wrong. There are actually some pretty dangerous driving mistakes that you could be making without even realizing it, and Toyota of Orlando is here to discuss the most dangerous ones to help you break the habits. Don't make these dangerous driving mistakes #1: Driving on underinflated tires. Underinflated tires won't just put a damper on your Orlando Toyota's fuel efficiency - they also make you a lot more prone to a blowout. While a flat tire may not seem like too dangerous of a situation, reframe it like this: you're driving at high speeds on the highway around other vehicles and your tire blows out. Pretty dangerous, right? Fill up your car tires to the proper PSI. #2: Driving while sleepy. You should never drive while fatigued - it's just as bad as driving drunk. Pull over and take a nap in a safe spot, or call it quits for the night and get some sleep so you're refreshed in the morning. #3: Speeding. Speeding makes you a lot more likely to get into a bad accident - it's the second highest cause of fatal accidents. Follow the speed limit for safe driving habits, no excuses! #4: Distracted driving. Texting while driving, putting on makeup, eating, talking to passengers... anything that takes your attention off the road and the task at hand puts you at a much higher risk of an accident. Use safe driving habits and put away the distractions. #5: Not wearing a seatbelt. Safe driving means buckling up no matter what. This means even if you're just going a block to the 7-11 for a soda. 33% of accident fatalities happen because people aren't wearing seatbelts. You should also teach your children and any other passengers this safe driving habit. #6: Driving while under the influence. Don't drive drunk. Period. Have a zero tolerance policy for yourself and anyone you're supposed to ride with. #7: Not taking care when driving in bad weather. You need to adjust your safe driving habits when you hit the road in bad weather. Rain, snow, high winds, and icy conditions all require extremely careful driving, slower speeds, and more even acceleration and braking. Be sure to adjust your drive time style accordingly. #8: Following too closely. Don't tailgate people. When you drive too closely to the person in front of your Orlando Toyota, it makes you a lot more likely to rear-end them if they have to hit the brakes or drop their speed. Leave the proper distance between your vehicle and the cars around you. Get more tips from Toyota of Orlando Want more tips about safe driving or have questions? Call us! Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500. You can also stop by and see us at 3575 Vineland Road just off I-4 across from Millenia Mall.

Do you feel confident that you engage in safe driving whenever you get behind the wheel? Most people do - but some of them are wrong. There are actually some pretty dangerous driving mistakes that you could be making without even realizing it, and Toyota of Orlando is here to discuss the most dangerous ones to help you break the habits. Don't make these dangerous driving mistakes #1: Driving on underinflated tires. Underinflated tires won't just put a damper on your Orlando Toyota's fuel efficiency - they also make you a lot more prone to a blowout. While a flat tire may not seem like too dangerous of a situation, reframe it like this: you're driving at high speeds on the highway around other vehicles and your tire blows out. Pretty dangerous, right? Fill up your car tires to the proper PSI. #2: Driving while sleepy. You should never drive while fatigued - it's just as bad as driving drunk. Pull over and take a nap in a safe spot, or call it quits for the night and get some sleep so you're refreshed in the morning. #3: Speeding. Speeding makes you a lot more likely to get into a bad accident - it's the second highest cause of fatal accidents. Follow the speed limit for safe driving habits, no excuses! #4: Distracted driving. Texting while driving, putting on makeup, eating, talking to passengers... anything that takes your attention off the road and the task at hand puts you at a much higher risk of an accident. Use safe driving habits and put away the distractions. #5: Not wearing a seatbelt. Safe driving means buckling up no matter what. This means even if you're just going a block to the 7-11 for a soda. 33% of accident fatalities happen because people aren't wearing seatbelts. You should also teach your children and any other passengers this safe driving habit. #6: Driving while under the influence. Don't drive drunk. Period. Have a zero tolerance policy for yourself and anyone you're supposed to ride with. #7: Not taking care when driving in bad weather. You need to adjust your safe driving habits when you hit the road in bad weather. Rain, snow, high winds, and icy conditions all require extremely careful driving, slower speeds, and more even acceleration and braking. Be sure to adjust your drive time style accordingly. #8: Following too closely. Don't tailgate people. When you drive too closely to the person in front of your Orlando Toyota, it makes you a lot more likely to rear-end them if they have to hit the brakes or drop their speed. Leave the proper distance between your vehicle and the cars around you. Get more tips from Toyota of Orlando Want more tips about safe driving or have questions? Call us! Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500. You can also stop by and see us at 3575 Vineland Road just off I-4 across from Millenia Mall.

In the wake of COVID-19, everyone is all about sanitization. It's essential to wash your hands, clean your phone, and make sure your home and workspace are sanitized to help prevent the spread of the virus. However, what about your car? If you're like most people, you're in and out of your Orlando Toyota several times a day, every single day. If your car isn't clean and sanitized, it doesn't matter how clean your hands are - the moment you touch the door handle, steering wheel, or shifter, your hands are essentially dirty again. Toyota of Orlando is here with car detailing tips to help you get your ride as clean and sanitized as possible. 1. Stock up on supplies Here at Toyota of Orlando, we're of the opinion that you should always have hand sanitizer on hand because... germs. But you definitely want to stock your car in the wake of COVID-19. Try to keep your car stocked with disinfectant wipes so you can quickly access them and wipe down surfaces on a regular basis. It's also a good idea to have hand sanitizer or antibacterial hand wipes on deck for when you have to pump gas, pay tolls, etc. 2. Rethink how you're cleaning surfaces When it comes to car detailing, you're probably using the usual cleaners. However, you need to up the ante if you want to sanitize and disinfect your ride. This is the time to swap out your supplies. Did you know that you can use simple soap and water against the Coronavirus? We vote you shoot for antibacterial soap for a more comprehensive clean, but plain dish soap will work, too. Mix up a soap-and-water solution and use it to scrub down seats and other fabrics, or throw seat covers in the washing machine. You can use disinfectant wipes to hit things like the dashboard and center console. 3. Pay special attention to high-touch surfaces You'll want to pay special attention to high-touch surfaces and make sure you clean them (often) with disinfectant wipes. These areas include: Door handles (both inside and exterior) Steering wheel Turn signal/windshield wiper controls Seatbelt buckles Shifter Infotainment screen and buttons A/C and heat controls And any other knobs or buttons on the interior that you touch. You should also consider where droplets may land if you cough or sneeze into your arm, like the driver's side door. 4. Don't forget the car seats Do you have car seats or booster seats in your backseat? Make sure you clean them, too. You can use the soap and water mixture we mentioned above to get the fabric (and some car seats allow you to remove the fabric surfaces so you can throw them in the washing machine) and disinfectant wipes for all the plastic parts. 5. Get on a follow-up schedule Now that your Orlando Toyota is sparkling clean and disinfected from your car detailing, keep it that way! Get on a routine cleaning schedule to wipe down surfaces, especially high-touch ones, on a routine basis. This will KEEP your car disinfected for the long-term. Have questions? Call us - Toyota of Orlando is here to help with all of your car detailing questions. You can reach us seven days a week at (407) 298-0001.

In the wake of COVID-19, everyone is all about sanitization. It's essential to wash your hands, clean your phone, and make sure your home and workspace are sanitized to help prevent the spread of the virus. However, what about your car? If you're like most people, you're in and out of your Orlando Toyota several times a day, every single day. If your car isn't clean and sanitized, it doesn't matter how clean your hands are - the moment you touch the door handle, steering wheel, or shifter, your hands are essentially dirty again. Toyota of Orlando is here with car detailing tips to help you get your ride as clean and sanitized as possible. 1. Stock up on supplies Here at Toyota of Orlando, we're of the opinion that you should always have hand sanitizer on hand because... germs. But you definitely want to stock your car in the wake of COVID-19. Try to keep your car stocked with disinfectant wipes so you can quickly access them and wipe down surfaces on a regular basis. It's also a good idea to have hand sanitizer or antibacterial hand wipes on deck for when you have to pump gas, pay tolls, etc. 2. Rethink how you're cleaning surfaces When it comes to car detailing, you're probably using the usual cleaners. However, you need to up the ante if you want to sanitize and disinfect your ride. This is the time to swap out your supplies. Did you know that you can use simple soap and water against the Coronavirus? We vote you shoot for antibacterial soap for a more comprehensive clean, but plain dish soap will work, too. Mix up a soap-and-water solution and use it to scrub down seats and other fabrics, or throw seat covers in the washing machine. You can use disinfectant wipes to hit things like the dashboard and center console. 3. Pay special attention to high-touch surfaces You'll want to pay special attention to high-touch surfaces and make sure you clean them (often) with disinfectant wipes. These areas include: Door handles (both inside and exterior) Steering wheel Turn signal/windshield wiper controls Seatbelt buckles Shifter Infotainment screen and buttons A/C and heat controls And any other knobs or buttons on the interior that you touch. You should also consider where droplets may land if you cough or sneeze into your arm, like the driver's side door. 4. Don't forget the car seats Do you have car seats or booster seats in your backseat? Make sure you clean them, too. You can use the soap and water mixture we mentioned above to get the fabric (and some car seats allow you to remove the fabric surfaces so you can throw them in the washing machine) and disinfectant wipes for all the plastic parts. 5. Get on a follow-up schedule Now that your Orlando Toyota is sparkling clean and disinfected from your car detailing, keep it that way! Get on a routine cleaning schedule to wipe down surfaces, especially high-touch ones, on a routine basis. This will KEEP your car disinfected for the long-term. Have questions? Call us - Toyota of Orlando is here to help with all of your car detailing questions. You can reach us seven days a week at (407) 298-0001.

Spring is in the air! If you're trying to get prepped for the season by getting your house and home in order, you're not alone. As of 2018, 91% of Americans spring clean every year! Here are some quick tips from our Orlando Toyota dealership to make the process as easy, efficient, and enjoyable as possible. Tip #1: Declutter first. There's no point in trying to clean around clutter - it just makes it more time-consuming and less rewarding in the end. Before you start spring cleaning, declutter your house and get rid of things you don't need or want to hang onto. We recommend designating a box for donations, a box for storage, and a box for trash to make sorting things easy and efficient. The rule of thumb? If you haven't used it in more than a year and it isn't nostalgic, get rid of it. Tip #2: Work from top to bottom. You should work from top to bottom to make cleaning more efficient. Start with ceiling fans and light fixtures and work your way down, finishing off with the floors. This will save time AND frustration - remember, anything that comes off the light fixtures, fans, and furniture is going to end up on the floor. Tip #3: Don't forget about the walls, cabinets, and baseboards. It's easy to overlook the walls, cabinets, and baseboards when it comes to day-to-day cleaning. Spring cleaning is a good excuse to tackle them. Wipe down your walls and scrub your baseboards - you'll be amazed at how quickly dust and grime can gather there. Additionally, give your cabinets a thorough cleaning by wiping down the doors and handles, organizing the interiors, and cleaning the shelves before you put everything back. Tip #4: Go room by room. We know it can be overwhelming to think of spring cleaning as a whole, so take it room by room. Compartmentalizing it will actually help you save time because you can focus on one thing at a time, finish it, and move onto the next efficiently. Tip #5: Remember to clean outdoors, too. Spring cleaning isn't just about the interior of your house! Now's a great time to tackle all of those outdoor projects, too. Clean out your gutters so they're ready for our summer rainstorms, pressure wash the driveway and sidewalks, and clean up the landscaping. You can also take this time to scrub down the grill, clean the kids' toys, and organize that shed or utility closet you've been letting go. Tip #6: Don't forget about appliances. Appliances, especially small ones, can get overlooked during spring cleaning. Use this time to clean out and reorganize your fridge and freezer; you can also deep clean your microwave, clean your coffee pot and teapot, and make sure your blender is mess-free. Tip #7: Disinfect all the things Spring cleaning is also a great time to wash or disinfect things you may not think about on a day-to-day basis. Wash your pet beds, the pillows on your couch, your curtains - anything that can collect dust. You can also disinfect all the trashcans in your house and steam clean your couch, futons, and chairs to remove grime. And while we're talking about it, don't forget your car. If you're too worn out from spring cleaning your home, we've got you covered! Schedule car detailing at Toyota of Orlando at (407) 298-4500. Happy spring!

Spring is in the air! If you're trying to get prepped for the season by getting your house and home in order, you're not alone. As of 2018, 91% of Americans spring clean every year! Here are some quick tips from our Orlando Toyota dealership to make the process as easy, efficient, and enjoyable as possible. Tip #1: Declutter first. There's no point in trying to clean around clutter - it just makes it more time-consuming and less rewarding in the end. Before you start spring cleaning, declutter your house and get rid of things you don't need or want to hang onto. We recommend designating a box for donations, a box for storage, and a box for trash to make sorting things easy and efficient. The rule of thumb? If you haven't used it in more than a year and it isn't nostalgic, get rid of it. Tip #2: Work from top to bottom. You should work from top to bottom to make cleaning more efficient. Start with ceiling fans and light fixtures and work your way down, finishing off with the floors. This will save time AND frustration - remember, anything that comes off the light fixtures, fans, and furniture is going to end up on the floor. Tip #3: Don't forget about the walls, cabinets, and baseboards. It's easy to overlook the walls, cabinets, and baseboards when it comes to day-to-day cleaning. Spring cleaning is a good excuse to tackle them. Wipe down your walls and scrub your baseboards - you'll be amazed at how quickly dust and grime can gather there. Additionally, give your cabinets a thorough cleaning by wiping down the doors and handles, organizing the interiors, and cleaning the shelves before you put everything back. Tip #4: Go room by room. We know it can be overwhelming to think of spring cleaning as a whole, so take it room by room. Compartmentalizing it will actually help you save time because you can focus on one thing at a time, finish it, and move onto the next efficiently. Tip #5: Remember to clean outdoors, too. Spring cleaning isn't just about the interior of your house! Now's a great time to tackle all of those outdoor projects, too. Clean out your gutters so they're ready for our summer rainstorms, pressure wash the driveway and sidewalks, and clean up the landscaping. You can also take this time to scrub down the grill, clean the kids' toys, and organize that shed or utility closet you've been letting go. Tip #6: Don't forget about appliances. Appliances, especially small ones, can get overlooked during spring cleaning. Use this time to clean out and reorganize your fridge and freezer; you can also deep clean your microwave, clean your coffee pot and teapot, and make sure your blender is mess-free. Tip #7: Disinfect all the things Spring cleaning is also a great time to wash or disinfect things you may not think about on a day-to-day basis. Wash your pet beds, the pillows on your couch, your curtains - anything that can collect dust. You can also disinfect all the trashcans in your house and steam clean your couch, futons, and chairs to remove grime. And while we're talking about it, don't forget your car. If you're too worn out from spring cleaning your home, we've got you covered! Schedule car detailing at Toyota of Orlando at (407) 298-4500. Happy spring!

When shopping for a new ride, some drivers just simply aren't satisfied with the current Toyota options on the market. They're looking for something extremely unique, something different - maybe even something from a different era. This is typically when a classic Toyota car restoration comes into play! However, restoring a classic car can take time, money, and dedication. Our Orlando Toyota dealership is here to give you some quick tips in our beginner's guide to classic Toyota car restoration - check it out. A quick beginner's guide to restoring a classic Toyota car Tip #1: Consider factors like time and money. Restoring a classic Toyota car is definitely a lot more complex than simply walking into Toyota of Orlando and driving off in a new Camry. It requires time and money, and you should make sure you have enough of both before you try to tackle it. Here's the breakdown: Time: Restoring a car takes a fair amount of time, even if you choose to have professionals do it for you. You typically won't be able to walk into our Orlando Toyota parts store to get the parts you need, especially if the car is vintage, which means it'll take some time to track them down. And if you go the modern route and use current-day parts to restore your vehicle, you still have to take the time to find the right ones and ensure that they're compatible with your ride. It could take over a year to get all of the pieces into play. Money: Restoring a classic Toyota car also requires a fair amount of money invested in it. Not only will you need to track down parts, but you'll also have to pay for a workspace and tools OR professional labor to get your car up and running again. Tip #2: Figure out how you're going to choose your car. How are you going to find the right classic Toyota car to restore? Again, you can't just waltz into our dealership and walk out with a set of keys! When searching for a vintage ride to upgrade, your best bet is the classifieds, whether online or in the newspaper. You can also look for sites that specialize in classic car sales. Tip #3: Have the right workspace and tools ready to go. If you're going to tackle restoration on your own, you'll need the right workspace AND the right tools. You'll want a place to work that's well-lit, dry, and big enough for you to move around in. You'll also want certain tools on hand - for starters, you should have a car jack, screwdriver, a drill with different bits, an air hose, screwdrivers, pliers, sockets, and wrenches. If you're really going to get into the trenches, you may want to consider having other items on hand like a welder, a blowtorch, and an engine crane and stand so you can lift the engine out of the car with ease. Make sure you know how to use all of these tools safely, though, before you get started. <span data-mce-type="bookmark" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> Get tips and tools from Toyota of Orlando Want more tips on restoring a classic Toyota car? Call Toyota of Orlando's service center. We're ready and waiting for you seven days a week at (407) 298-0001!

When shopping for a new ride, some drivers just simply aren't satisfied with the current Toyota options on the market. They're looking for something extremely unique, something different - maybe even something from a different era. This is typically when a classic Toyota car restoration comes into play! However, restoring a classic car can take time, money, and dedication. Our Orlando Toyota dealership is here to give you some quick tips in our beginner's guide to classic Toyota car restoration - check it out. A quick beginner's guide to restoring a classic Toyota car Tip #1: Consider factors like time and money. Restoring a classic Toyota car is definitely a lot more complex than simply walking into Toyota of Orlando and driving off in a new Camry. It requires time and money, and you should make sure you have enough of both before you try to tackle it. Here's the breakdown: Time: Restoring a car takes a fair amount of time, even if you choose to have professionals do it for you. You typically won't be able to walk into our Orlando Toyota parts store to get the parts you need, especially if the car is vintage, which means it'll take some time to track them down. And if you go the modern route and use current-day parts to restore your vehicle, you still have to take the time to find the right ones and ensure that they're compatible with your ride. It could take over a year to get all of the pieces into play. Money: Restoring a classic Toyota car also requires a fair amount of money invested in it. Not only will you need to track down parts, but you'll also have to pay for a workspace and tools OR professional labor to get your car up and running again. Tip #2: Figure out how you're going to choose your car. How are you going to find the right classic Toyota car to restore? Again, you can't just waltz into our dealership and walk out with a set of keys! When searching for a vintage ride to upgrade, your best bet is the classifieds, whether online or in the newspaper. You can also look for sites that specialize in classic car sales. Tip #3: Have the right workspace and tools ready to go. If you're going to tackle restoration on your own, you'll need the right workspace AND the right tools. You'll want a place to work that's well-lit, dry, and big enough for you to move around in. You'll also want certain tools on hand - for starters, you should have a car jack, screwdriver, a drill with different bits, an air hose, screwdrivers, pliers, sockets, and wrenches. If you're really going to get into the trenches, you may want to consider having other items on hand like a welder, a blowtorch, and an engine crane and stand so you can lift the engine out of the car with ease. Make sure you know how to use all of these tools safely, though, before you get started. <span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> Get tips and tools from Toyota of Orlando Want more tips on restoring a classic Toyota car? Call Toyota of Orlando's service center. We're ready and waiting for you seven days a week at (407) 298-0001!

When it comes to pumping gas, it's pretty self-explanatory. You pay, stick the nozzle into the gas tank, pump, and go. However, did you know there are potentially dangerous mistakes that you could be making when you're at the gas pump? Toyota of Orlando is here to tell you more and make sure that you're safe every time you fill up at the gas station. Read on! Toyota of Orlando's tips for when you're at the gas pump Mistake #1: Topping off the tank Some people like to "top off the tank" to squeeze those last few drops in when they're getting gas. This is a bad idea, though - the automatic shut-off valves are there for a reason. Gasoline needs room to expand inside the tank so when you fill past the automatic shut-off valve's "click", you're potentially putting too much gas into the tank. This can lead to too much pressure inside the tank and subsequently, a leak as the gas expands. Fill until you hear the click, then stop. Mistake #2: Smoking at the gas pump This seems like a no-brainer, but we still see people smoking at the gas pump. Gasoline is EXTREMELY flammable and all it takes is one little hot ash or tiny ember to start a big, dangerous fire. Put out your cigarette or cigar until you're well clear of the gas pump. Mistake #3: Getting in and out of the car Did you know that every time you get in and out of your car, static electricity builds up a small charge on your body? This is especially true when it's cold and dry out. If you go to grab the gas nozzle and that electricity sparks, you could cause a fire. It stinks to pump gas when it's cold or wet outside, but resist the urge to get back into the driver's seat while you wait for the tank to fill. Mistake #4: Leaving your car running while you pump NEVER leave your car running while you fill the tank with gas. When you leave it on, it's putting off heat and static electricity - both of which can cause a fire when combined with gasoline or even gas vapors. Turn your car off and make sure you have your keys in hand before you fill up. Mistake #5: Using your cell phone We've got some good news - cell phones can't cause fires at the gas pump (contrary to what some believe). What they can do, however, is distract you to the point where you overfill your tank or even drive off with the nozzle still in the tank. Put your phone away while at the gas pump, period. Mistake #6: Not locking your doors or rolling your windows up You should always close or at least crack your car windows at the gas pump as well as lock all of your doors. (Make sure you have your keys in hand!) Thieves find it easy to sneak into the opposite side of your car and steal your belongings while you're distracted at the pump. Don't be a victim - lock up! Let our Orlando Toyota service techs answer your questions Want more tips? Call Toyota of Orlando's service center! We're here seven days a week at (407) 298-4500 and our Orlando Toyota service techs are happy to give you any advice they can.

When it comes to pumping gas, it's pretty self-explanatory. You pay, stick the nozzle into the gas tank, pump, and go. However, did you know there are potentially dangerous mistakes that you could be making when you're at the gas pump? Toyota of Orlando is here to tell you more and make sure that you're safe every time you fill up at the gas station. Read on! Toyota of Orlando's tips for when you're at the gas pump Mistake #1: Topping off the tank Some people like to "top off the tank" to squeeze those last few drops in when they're getting gas. This is a bad idea, though - the automatic shut-off valves are there for a reason. Gasoline needs room to expand inside the tank so when you fill past the automatic shut-off valve's "click", you're potentially putting too much gas into the tank. This can lead to too much pressure inside the tank and subsequently, a leak as the gas expands. Fill until you hear the click, then stop. Mistake #2: Smoking at the gas pump This seems like a no-brainer, but we still see people smoking at the gas pump. Gasoline is EXTREMELY flammable and all it takes is one little hot ash or tiny ember to start a big, dangerous fire. Put out your cigarette or cigar until you're well clear of the gas pump. Mistake #3: Getting in and out of the car Did you know that every time you get in and out of your car, static electricity builds up a small charge on your body? This is especially true when it's cold and dry out. If you go to grab the gas nozzle and that electricity sparks, you could cause a fire. It stinks to pump gas when it's cold or wet outside, but resist the urge to get back into the driver's seat while you wait for the tank to fill. Mistake #4: Leaving your car running while you pump NEVER leave your car running while you fill the tank with gas. When you leave it on, it's putting off heat and static electricity - both of which can cause a fire when combined with gasoline or even gas vapors. Turn your car off and make sure you have your keys in hand before you fill up. Mistake #5: Using your cell phone We've got some good news - cell phones can't cause fires at the gas pump (contrary to what some believe). What they can do, however, is distract you to the point where you overfill your tank or even drive off with the nozzle still in the tank. Put your phone away while at the gas pump, period. Mistake #6: Not locking your doors or rolling your windows up You should always close or at least crack your car windows at the gas pump as well as lock all of your doors. (Make sure you have your keys in hand!) Thieves find it easy to sneak into the opposite side of your car and steal your belongings while you're distracted at the pump. Don't be a victim - lock up! Let our Orlando Toyota service techs answer your questions Want more tips? Call Toyota of Orlando's service center! We're here seven days a week at (407) 298-4500 and our Orlando Toyota service techs are happy to give you any advice they can.