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When it comes to accessorizing your car, you've got a lot of options. Whether you want car accessories for performance, appearance, entertainment, or convenience, the choices are seemingly endless (and you can get a lot of them right here at Toyota of Orlando). However, some drivers take it pretty far when it comes to accessorizing their rides. What's the coolest car accessory you've ever seen? Check out some of these interesting finds we've stumbled upon and decide if it's time to break out the credit card and take your car up a notch. 1) Rooftop tent If you're into camping but not so much into dirt, bugs, and creepy-crawlies, then check out a rooftop tent for your ride. These incredible tents can be fitted to almost any vehicle and you just need a ladder to climb up. Some come outfitted with a comfy mattress and you can add additional "living" space by hanging an annex below the roofline for changing, hanging out, and eating. 2) 3D DIY molding for the interior Sick of the so-so color scheme inside of your car? Check out 3D DIY automobile molding by Geekercity. You can trim out the interior of your car with pops of color of your choice and really take the style up a notch. However, you can also use it on the exterior if you want to add some excitement to your drive time. 3) Crystal embellishment ring for push button start If you like a little bling in your life, why not start with the interior of your car? You can add a crystal embellishment ring to your push button start so you have a little sparkle in your life every time you start your engine. 4) Portable jump starter There's nothing more inconvenient than a car that won't start... even if you carry jumper cables, you still have to wait around for another car to give you a jump and get you going. Why not take that element out of the equation? You can now purchase a portable jump starter that will give your car enough juice to get to a mechanic and you use it just like you would normal jumper cables. 5) Smart wheel steering wheel cover Everyone likes steering wheel covers - they protect your steering wheel from dirt, sunlight, and wear and tear. But this car accessory takes things up a notch by actually using intelligence to help prevent distracted driving. It fits any steering wheel and uses sensing technology to encourage drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and stay focused - it's a great buy for teen drivers. 6) ZipGripGo Have you ever found yourself stuck in sand, snow, or mud with nothing to give you traction in sight? Store ZipGripGo in your trunk - it's a car accessory that fastens around your car's tire to give it traction in slippery situations and get you out.   Want to shop car accessories for your ride? Call Toyota of Orlando at (407) 298-0001 and ask for our parts department!

When it comes to accessorizing your car, you've got a lot of options. Whether you want car accessories for performance, appearance, entertainment, or convenience, the choices are seemingly endless (and you can get a lot of them right here at Toyota of Orlando). However, some drivers take it pretty far when it comes to accessorizing their rides. What's the coolest car accessory you've ever seen? Check out some of these interesting finds we've stumbled upon and decide if it's time to break out the credit card and take your car up a notch. 1) Rooftop tent If you're into camping but not so much into dirt, bugs, and creepy-crawlies, then check out a rooftop tent for your ride. These incredible tents can be fitted to almost any vehicle and you just need a ladder to climb up. Some come outfitted with a comfy mattress and you can add additional "living" space by hanging an annex below the roofline for changing, hanging out, and eating. 2) 3D DIY molding for the interior Sick of the so-so color scheme inside of your car? Check out 3D DIY automobile molding by Geekercity. You can trim out the interior of your car with pops of color of your choice and really take the style up a notch. However, you can also use it on the exterior if you want to add some excitement to your drive time. 3) Crystal embellishment ring for push button start If you like a little bling in your life, why not start with the interior of your car? You can add a crystal embellishment ring to your push button start so you have a little sparkle in your life every time you start your engine. 4) Portable jump starter There's nothing more inconvenient than a car that won't start... even if you carry jumper cables, you still have to wait around for another car to give you a jump and get you going. Why not take that element out of the equation? You can now purchase a portable jump starter that will give your car enough juice to get to a mechanic and you use it just like you would normal jumper cables. 5) Smart wheel steering wheel cover Everyone likes steering wheel covers - they protect your steering wheel from dirt, sunlight, and wear and tear. But this car accessory takes things up a notch by actually using intelligence to help prevent distracted driving. It fits any steering wheel and uses sensing technology to encourage drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and stay focused - it's a great buy for teen drivers. 6) ZipGripGo Have you ever found yourself stuck in sand, snow, or mud with nothing to give you traction in sight? Store ZipGripGo in your trunk - it's a car accessory that fastens around your car's tire to give it traction in slippery situations and get you out.   Want to shop car accessories for your ride? Call Toyota of Orlando at (407) 298-0001 and ask for our parts department!

Are you a fan of taking matters into your own hands when it comes to car maintenance? Some people are confident with the workings under the hood and like to take a DIY approach when it comes to caring for your car. However, if you're going to get serious about maintaining your ride, you need to have the right tools to do it. We sat down with some of our Toyota certified techs here at Toyota of Orlando to find out exactly what you should be investing in for an exceptional DIY car maintenance experience. Toyota of Orlando's recommendations for DIY car care Tool #1: A headlamp and a work light You want the best possible lighting when you're doing DIY car maintenance. A good work light can illuminate your workspace, but you should also invest in a headlamp. This will keep you hands-free and lend light when you're trying to get down into the nooks and crannies of the engine. Tool #2: An air compressor If you're going to be using power tool, you definitely want to invest in an air compressor. It'll power the tools much more efficiently and make your DIY car maintenance that much easier. On top of that, an air compressor can be used to inflate tires. Tool #3: A stubby screwdriver Things can get tight under the hood and sometimes, normal tools just can't get the job done. Our Orlando auto service techs recommend investing in a set of stubby screwdrivers or at least one or two. It's shorter than a normal screwdriver but still gives you the control you need. Don't attempt your own car maintenance without these tools Tool #4: Extension bars for your socket wrenches You'll definitely make use of your socket wrenches when doing DIY car care but sometimes, it can be tricky to get them down into the engine where you need to use them. Invest in extension bars for these wrenches - they can give you length when you need it to get down into the engine, and socket swivels will ensure you have more flexibility. Tool #5: A quality jack stand If you're going to be working under your car then you'll need to jack it up. However, you need to do so safely because using just anything to prop your car up can end in serious injury. Buy a high-quality jack stand for ensured safety and avoid a hydraulic stand - they have higher failure rates and can be more dangerous. Tool #6: A multimeter A multimeter measures power, currents, and resistance of different parts of your car. Additionally, you can test the voltage of your battery with it to see if you're due for a replacement. Not sure where to shop for these tools? Call Toyota of Orlando's parts center! We can point you in the right direction and also answer car maintenance questions that you might have. You can reach us 7 days a week at (407) 298-0001. Our Orlando Toyota service center is conveniently located at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.

Are you a fan of taking matters into your own hands when it comes to car maintenance? Some people are confident with the workings under the hood and like to take a DIY approach when it comes to caring for your car. However, if you're going to get serious about maintaining your ride, you need to have the right tools to do it. We sat down with some of our Toyota certified techs here at Toyota of Orlando to find out exactly what you should be investing in for an exceptional DIY car maintenance experience. Toyota of Orlando's recommendations for DIY car care Tool #1: A headlamp and a work light You want the best possible lighting when you're doing DIY car maintenance. A good work light can illuminate your workspace, but you should also invest in a headlamp. This will keep you hands-free and lend light when you're trying to get down into the nooks and crannies of the engine. Tool #2: An air compressor If you're going to be using power tool, you definitely want to invest in an air compressor. It'll power the tools much more efficiently and make your DIY car maintenance that much easier. On top of that, an air compressor can be used to inflate tires. Tool #3: A stubby screwdriver Things can get tight under the hood and sometimes, normal tools just can't get the job done. Our Orlando auto service techs recommend investing in a set of stubby screwdrivers or at least one or two. It's shorter than a normal screwdriver but still gives you the control you need. Don't attempt your own car maintenance without these tools Tool #4: Extension bars for your socket wrenches You'll definitely make use of your socket wrenches when doing DIY car care but sometimes, it can be tricky to get them down into the engine where you need to use them. Invest in extension bars for these wrenches - they can give you length when you need it to get down into the engine, and socket swivels will ensure you have more flexibility. Tool #5: A quality jack stand If you're going to be working under your car then you'll need to jack it up. However, you need to do so safely because using just anything to prop your car up can end in serious injury. Buy a high-quality jack stand for ensured safety and avoid a hydraulic stand - they have higher failure rates and can be more dangerous. Tool #6: A multimeter A multimeter measures power, currents, and resistance of different parts of your car. Additionally, you can test the voltage of your battery with it to see if you're due for a replacement. Not sure where to shop for these tools? Call Toyota of Orlando's parts center! We can point you in the right direction and also answer car maintenance questions that you might have. You can reach us 7 days a week at (407) 298-0001. Our Orlando Toyota service center is conveniently located at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.

Engine damage is a scary thought. It can mean expensive repairs, time in the shop (which means rental car fees) and an overall big inconvenience to your daily life. However, you don't need to stress - with the proper maintenance and precautions, engine damage is avoidable! Check out these tips straight from our Orlando Toyota service techs on how to prevent this situation from occurring under your hood. Use these 4 tips to prevent expensive auto repairs Tip #1: Never ignore your check engine light. Your check engine light comes on for a reason - it doesn't just light up for fun or to make your dash look brighter. When you see the light come on, your first step should be to check your gas cap. Sometimes if it's not tightened enough, the check engine light will be triggered. However, if it's screwed in tightly and you're still seeing the light glow, it's time to bring your car in for Orlando auto service. You may have an issue with your fuel injection system, your emissions system, your ignition, and more... and the longer you wait, the worse the damage can get! Tip #2: Don't turn up the radio to drown out off sounds. Don't try to ignore troublesome sounds by turning up the music (it's tempting, we know). Your car typically runs smoothly and quietly, and odd noises can mean something is going on under the hood. Rumbling, knocking, squealing, hissing, and rattling can all mean big issues in terms of engine damage and ignoring them isn't going to help the situation. Remember to periodically turn down the music and see how the car sounds so you can pinpoint anything that seems out of the ordinary immediately. Tip #3: Pay attention to smells inside the car. The interior of your car should smell good (especially if you're doing your due diligence and detailing it on a regular basis). If it smells like gasoline, hot oil, mildew, syrup, rotten eggs, or burning carpet, then you've got an issue with your auto service that should be addressed immediately to avoid engine damage. Tip #4: Handle smoke or steam immediately. Where there's smoke, there's fire. Don't ever ignore smoke or steam coming out of your engine bay. It can mean your car is overheating, oil or gasoline is leaking, or there's a problem with your emissions system. Bring your ride into Toyota of Orlando for service today. Let Toyota of Orlando get you on a routine car maintenance schedule On top of being vigilant about all of these things, keep your car on a routine Orlando car maintenance schedule to avoid engine damage. By keeping all the parts well-maintained and getting routine multi-point inspections, you're a lot less likely to have problems throughout ownership. Let our techs get you on a schedule based on your vehicle's needs. Have questions about engine damage or want to get your ride on a routine maintenance schedule! Call Toyota of Orlando's service department today. We're open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001 - don't forget to ask about our service specials to save money.

Engine damage is a scary thought. It can mean expensive repairs, time in the shop (which means rental car fees) and an overall big inconvenience to your daily life. However, you don't need to stress - with the proper maintenance and precautions, engine damage is avoidable! Check out these tips straight from our Orlando Toyota service techs on how to prevent this situation from occurring under your hood. Use these 4 tips to prevent expensive auto repairs Tip #1: Never ignore your check engine light. Your check engine light comes on for a reason - it doesn't just light up for fun or to make your dash look brighter. When you see the light come on, your first step should be to check your gas cap. Sometimes if it's not tightened enough, the check engine light will be triggered. However, if it's screwed in tightly and you're still seeing the light glow, it's time to bring your car in for Orlando auto service. You may have an issue with your fuel injection system, your emissions system, your ignition, and more... and the longer you wait, the worse the damage can get! Tip #2: Don't turn up the radio to drown out off sounds. Don't try to ignore troublesome sounds by turning up the music (it's tempting, we know). Your car typically runs smoothly and quietly, and odd noises can mean something is going on under the hood. Rumbling, knocking, squealing, hissing, and rattling can all mean big issues in terms of engine damage and ignoring them isn't going to help the situation. Remember to periodically turn down the music and see how the car sounds so you can pinpoint anything that seems out of the ordinary immediately. Tip #3: Pay attention to smells inside the car. The interior of your car should smell good (especially if you're doing your due diligence and detailing it on a regular basis). If it smells like gasoline, hot oil, mildew, syrup, rotten eggs, or burning carpet, then you've got an issue with your auto service that should be addressed immediately to avoid engine damage. Tip #4: Handle smoke or steam immediately. Where there's smoke, there's fire. Don't ever ignore smoke or steam coming out of your engine bay. It can mean your car is overheating, oil or gasoline is leaking, or there's a problem with your emissions system. Bring your ride into Toyota of Orlando for service today. Let Toyota of Orlando get you on a routine car maintenance schedule On top of being vigilant about all of these things, keep your car on a routine Orlando car maintenance schedule to avoid engine damage. By keeping all the parts well-maintained and getting routine multi-point inspections, you're a lot less likely to have problems throughout ownership. Let our techs get you on a schedule based on your vehicle's needs. Have questions about engine damage or want to get your ride on a routine maintenance schedule! Call Toyota of Orlando's service department today. We're open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001 - don't forget to ask about our service specials to save money.

Have you ever slid into the driver's seat, cranked the engine, and then realized that something stinks? And we're not talking your smoothie that you accidentally left in the backseat cupholder or that wet dog smell left over from last weekend's visit to the dog park. We're talking a stench that can only mean one thing - trouble under the hood. Toyota of Orlando is here to explain 6 different car smells, what they mean, and why you should never ignore them. Smell #1: Rotten eggs If you get a whiff of rotten eggs when you start the car, it can mean that you have traces of sulfur in your gasoline, which can cause hydrogen sulfide in your exhaust. You shouldn't ignore it because you likely have a problem with your fuel injection system OR your catalytic converter. Long story short, you're going to need our Orlando auto service techs to get under the hood. Smell #2: Like you're parked at a gas station If you smell gas inside the car and you're not actually parked at a gas station, you have a problem. Typically, this smell can indicate a leak from a fuel injection line or a fuel tank vent hose. Either way, your car is leaking a flammable liquid (and one that's harmful to inhale, too). Bring it into Toyota of Orlando to have our auto service techs check it out. Smell #3: Sweet maple syrup If you're getting a sweet, syrupy smell inside the cabin of your car, it means you have ethylene glycol leaking, aka coolant. You may have a hose leak or a leak in the radiator itself (or even a leaky radiator cap). Regardless, you're losing the fluid that keeps your car running cool and you don't want your ride to overheat. Smell #4: A gym locker room If your ride smells like a humid gym locker room when you turn on your air-conditioning, then you probably have mildew or mold inside the A/C system - most likely in the A/C condenser. The system needs to be dried out and our auto service techs can help you do it. Smell #5: Burning carpet If you smell burning carpet, it means your brake pads are working overtime and are overheated. Make sure your handbrake (or foot parking brake) isn't engaged, and then bring your car to our Orlando auto service center because it could mean an issue with a brake caliper piston. Smell #6: Hot oil (and not the good, fried food, lots of calories type oil) If you smell hot oil - and not oil like the inside of a McDonald's - then you likely have an oil leak under the hood. You'll find that this often stems from a leaky valve or seal and requires expertise to put things right. Ready to schedule Orlando auto service? Just call us today - we're open seven days a week with the longest service hours in Central Florida at (407) 298-0001!

Have you ever slid into the driver's seat, cranked the engine, and then realized that something stinks? And we're not talking your smoothie that you accidentally left in the backseat cupholder or that wet dog smell left over from last weekend's visit to the dog park. We're talking a stench that can only mean one thing - trouble under the hood. Toyota of Orlando is here to explain 6 different car smells, what they mean, and why you should never ignore them. Smell #1: Rotten eggs If you get a whiff of rotten eggs when you start the car, it can mean that you have traces of sulfur in your gasoline, which can cause hydrogen sulfide in your exhaust. You shouldn't ignore it because you likely have a problem with your fuel injection system OR your catalytic converter. Long story short, you're going to need our Orlando auto service techs to get under the hood. Smell #2: Like you're parked at a gas station If you smell gas inside the car and you're not actually parked at a gas station, you have a problem. Typically, this smell can indicate a leak from a fuel injection line or a fuel tank vent hose. Either way, your car is leaking a flammable liquid (and one that's harmful to inhale, too). Bring it into Toyota of Orlando to have our auto service techs check it out. Smell #3: Sweet maple syrup If you're getting a sweet, syrupy smell inside the cabin of your car, it means you have ethylene glycol leaking, aka coolant. You may have a hose leak or a leak in the radiator itself (or even a leaky radiator cap). Regardless, you're losing the fluid that keeps your car running cool and you don't want your ride to overheat. Smell #4: A gym locker room If your ride smells like a humid gym locker room when you turn on your air-conditioning, then you probably have mildew or mold inside the A/C system - most likely in the A/C condenser. The system needs to be dried out and our auto service techs can help you do it. Smell #5: Burning carpet If you smell burning carpet, it means your brake pads are working overtime and are overheated. Make sure your handbrake (or foot parking brake) isn't engaged, and then bring your car to our Orlando auto service center because it could mean an issue with a brake caliper piston. Smell #6: Hot oil (and not the good, fried food, lots of calories type oil) If you smell hot oil - and not oil like the inside of a McDonald's - then you likely have an oil leak under the hood. You'll find that this often stems from a leaky valve or seal and requires expertise to put things right. Ready to schedule Orlando auto service? Just call us today - we're open seven days a week with the longest service hours in Central Florida at (407) 298-0001!

When it comes to putting the pedal to the metal, there's a very important part involved - your transmission. Your car's transmission is in charge of sending power from the engine to the wheels, and it allows you to both get moving in the first place AND shift through the gears to reach higher speeds. When it's not working properly, you're going nowhere fast - that's why it's so important to maintain it. Toyota of Orlando is here to talk to you about one of the key components of keeping your car's transmission in top shape - transmission fluid. Do you need more transmission fluid? Transmission fluid has two jobs - it keeps your engine cool, and it also keeps your entire transmission system lubricated so all of the parts can work together seamlessly. When the transmission fluid becomes dirty or runs low, it becomes nearly impossible for your car's transmission to work at full capacity. Best case scenario, you'll have a not-so-great performance on your hands. Worst case, your car won't go anywhere... at all. So, how do you know if your car's transmission fluid is starting to run low or get too dirty to function properly? Check out these giveaway signs straight from our Orlando auto service techs: 1) You can't shift gears. This is probably the most obvious sign that you're out of transmission fluid. Whether you drive a manual or an automatic, your car shifts gears in order to speed up and slow down. If it can't make these shifts, you're not going anywhere. Like, at all. You can refill the reservoir to get things moving again, but it's a good idea to bring your car into Toyota of Orlando to have our techs check your system out and ensure there aren't any leaks. 2) Your shifts seem off when it comes to timing. Does it feel like your shifts between gears are coming too soon or too late? This could mean your car is running low on transmission fluid and subsequently, can't get the timing right. Let our techs check things out and get your fluid topped off so you can get your timing right again. 3) Your transmission is slipping. When your transmission slips, it feels like your car just can't quite make it into that gear and slips back into the old one - it should be especially noticeable during acceleration. Other signs of a slipping transmission include spiking RPMs right before a gear shift, odd noises when the car is shifting, and choppiness when the car does manage to shift. All of these signs point to low transmission fluid level and if not handled, can lead to engine overheating and worse (we're talking expensive repairs). Let our Orlando Toyota techs take a look under the hood as soon as possible. Schedule service today at Toyota of Orlando 4) There's a delay when it's time for your car to engage the next gear. Does your car seem to have a few seconds' delay when it shifts? What about when you shift it into drive or park? It's only about 2-3 seconds, but it's noticeable enough. This indicates an issue with fluid levels, so visit Toyota of Orlando today! Need service? Schedule online or call us at (407) 298-0001.

When it comes to putting the pedal to the metal, there's a very important part involved - your transmission. Your car's transmission is in charge of sending power from the engine to the wheels, and it allows you to both get moving in the first place AND shift through the gears to reach higher speeds. When it's not working properly, you're going nowhere fast - that's why it's so important to maintain it. Toyota of Orlando is here to talk to you about one of the key components of keeping your car's transmission in top shape - transmission fluid. Do you need more transmission fluid? Transmission fluid has two jobs - it keeps your engine cool, and it also keeps your entire transmission system lubricated so all of the parts can work together seamlessly. When the transmission fluid becomes dirty or runs low, it becomes nearly impossible for your car's transmission to work at full capacity. Best case scenario, you'll have a not-so-great performance on your hands. Worst case, your car won't go anywhere... at all. So, how do you know if your car's transmission fluid is starting to run low or get too dirty to function properly? Check out these giveaway signs straight from our Orlando auto service techs: 1) You can't shift gears. This is probably the most obvious sign that you're out of transmission fluid. Whether you drive a manual or an automatic, your car shifts gears in order to speed up and slow down. If it can't make these shifts, you're not going anywhere. Like, at all. You can refill the reservoir to get things moving again, but it's a good idea to bring your car into Toyota of Orlando to have our techs check your system out and ensure there aren't any leaks. 2) Your shifts seem off when it comes to timing. Does it feel like your shifts between gears are coming too soon or too late? This could mean your car is running low on transmission fluid and subsequently, can't get the timing right. Let our techs check things out and get your fluid topped off so you can get your timing right again. 3) Your transmission is slipping. When your transmission slips, it feels like your car just can't quite make it into that gear and slips back into the old one - it should be especially noticeable during acceleration. Other signs of a slipping transmission include spiking RPMs right before a gear shift, odd noises when the car is shifting, and choppiness when the car does manage to shift. All of these signs point to low transmission fluid level and if not handled, can lead to engine overheating and worse (we're talking expensive repairs). Let our Orlando Toyota techs take a look under the hood as soon as possible. Schedule service today at Toyota of Orlando 4) There's a delay when it's time for your car to engage the next gear. Does your car seem to have a few seconds' delay when it shifts? What about when you shift it into drive or park? It's only about 2-3 seconds, but it's noticeable enough. This indicates an issue with fluid levels, so visit Toyota of Orlando today! Need service? Schedule online or call us at (407) 298-0001.

We've all done it - you lose focus for a second or you swerve to avoid hitting something and you feel your car connect with the curb. Typically you just bounce off and drive away and after a moment of embarrassment and hoping no one saw you, you go about your day. However, hitting a curb can do more damage than you imagine and Toyota of Orlando's auto service experts are here to explain why it might be worth bringing your ride in for a quick inspection. What can hitting a curb actually do to your car? Your car may seem totally fine after you run into a curb, and it really could be. However, there are a host of auto service issues that can spring from this seemingly minor incident. Here are the most common ones our Toyota of Orlando techs see: Tire damage: Your tire hitting the curb may seem like no big deal - after all, they're made of rubber and are supposed to be resilient. However, running into a curb can damage your tires structurally, making them weaker... and you may not see the repercussions for hundreds of miles after the accident. Consider having your tires inspected at our Orlando auto service center to ensure they're still in it for the long haul. Control arms damage: Basically, the control arms on your vehicle allow the vehicle's suspension to move the car up and down (which means you stay comfortable on surfaces that are less than smooth). They also help to hold all of the suspension in place, so even jarring them on a curb can damage them and subsequently, damage your car's suspension. Tie rod damage: Your tie rods connect your car's steering system to your wheels... so if they get damaged, it's a big deal and can drastically affect performance. Hitting a curb can damage the tie rods and leave you with less-than-stellar steering capabilities, which can be especially dangerous if you're driving on wet or slippery roads. Steering knuckle damage: The wheel hub is contained within the steering knuckle and in turn, the steering knuckle connects with the steering elements of your car as well as the suspension. Hitting a curb can damage this component and affect your car's handling, steering, and comfort level on rougher roads. Let our Orlando auto service techs get you back on track So, what should you do after you hit a curb? The first thing to do is take note of your car's performance. Is the steering the same or are you experiencing difficulties getting your ride where you want it to go or is your car drifting to one side? How is your car riding - do you think the suspension could have been negatively affected? Next, schedule an appointment with Toyota of Orlando's auto service center. You'll want an alignment check at the very least, but while our techs are working they can also check your tires, suspension, steering system, tie rods, steering knuckles, and control arms. Want to make an appointment today? Call us - we're open seven days a week with the longest service hours in Central Florida at (407) 298-0001.

We've all done it - you lose focus for a second or you swerve to avoid hitting something and you feel your car connect with the curb. Typically you just bounce off and drive away and after a moment of embarrassment and hoping no one saw you, you go about your day. However, hitting a curb can do more damage than you imagine and Toyota of Orlando's auto service experts are here to explain why it might be worth bringing your ride in for a quick inspection. What can hitting a curb actually do to your car? Your car may seem totally fine after you run into a curb, and it really could be. However, there are a host of auto service issues that can spring from this seemingly minor incident. Here are the most common ones our Toyota of Orlando techs see: Tire damage: Your tire hitting the curb may seem like no big deal - after all, they're made of rubber and are supposed to be resilient. However, running into a curb can damage your tires structurally, making them weaker... and you may not see the repercussions for hundreds of miles after the accident. Consider having your tires inspected at our Orlando auto service center to ensure they're still in it for the long haul. Control arms damage: Basically, the control arms on your vehicle allow the vehicle's suspension to move the car up and down (which means you stay comfortable on surfaces that are less than smooth). They also help to hold all of the suspension in place, so even jarring them on a curb can damage them and subsequently, damage your car's suspension. Tie rod damage: Your tie rods connect your car's steering system to your wheels... so if they get damaged, it's a big deal and can drastically affect performance. Hitting a curb can damage the tie rods and leave you with less-than-stellar steering capabilities, which can be especially dangerous if you're driving on wet or slippery roads. Steering knuckle damage: The wheel hub is contained within the steering knuckle and in turn, the steering knuckle connects with the steering elements of your car as well as the suspension. Hitting a curb can damage this component and affect your car's handling, steering, and comfort level on rougher roads. Let our Orlando auto service techs get you back on track So, what should you do after you hit a curb? The first thing to do is take note of your car's performance. Is the steering the same or are you experiencing difficulties getting your ride where you want it to go or is your car drifting to one side? How is your car riding - do you think the suspension could have been negatively affected? Next, schedule an appointment with Toyota of Orlando's auto service center. You'll want an alignment check at the very least, but while our techs are working they can also check your tires, suspension, steering system, tie rods, steering knuckles, and control arms. Want to make an appointment today? Call us - we're open seven days a week with the longest service hours in Central Florida at (407) 298-0001.