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Is the exterior of your car looking a little worse for the wear? Whether a branch fell and scratched the hood or someone got a little too friendly with their shopping car in the parking lot, car paint damage happens. It can leave your car looking less-than-new and over time, actually lead to rust damage (which is expensive and time-consuming to fix). Toyota of Orlando is here with tips to help you combat car paint damage at home (unless you're not feeling confident, in which case our Toyota Collision Center has got you covered!). Toyota of Orlando's paint for getting rid of scratches First things first - before you actually get to work, you need to figure out how deep the scratch is and if you're capable of handling it from home. Your car paint has several layers that give it both durability and shine, including the base body panel coat, a primer coat, clay bar wax, the actual body paint coat, and then a clear coat to protect it and give it shine. Here's how to tell how deep that scratch actually is: Clear coat scratches are visible but fade when your car gets wet and then reappear when it dries. A body coat scratch won't fade but actually looks white inside the scratch. A base body panel or primer scratch (the deepest) is gray or black in color. Once you've determined what type of car paint damage you have and whether or not you feel comfortable fixing it, it's time to gather supplies. For this DIY auto repair, you'll need a few clean microfiber cloths, sandpaper, fine scratch polish, soapy water, and a power polisher. Repair your car paint damage like a pro Step 1: Clean the area where the car paint damage is with the soapy water and dry it with a microfiber cloth. This will help prevent you from polishing or rubbing sand or grit into the paint, damaging it further. Then, tape the area off. This will help you remember the exact area you should be working in. Step 2: Begin sanding. You'll want to be careful - our Orlando Toyota collision center recommends starting with a 3000 fine grit sandpaper (5000 will also be OK) and wrapping a dish sponge in the paper so you avoid pressure points from your fingertips showing up in your sanding. Apply soapy water to the area you're going to sand and get started. You should use medium pressure and sand until the area has a hazy look and you can no longer see the scratch. Step 3: Get polishing and waxing. If you can't see the scratch anymore, then it's time to move to the next step. Continue with a little bit of sanding - this time you want to sand around the scratch and existing sanded area to add a little feathering to the hazy area (this is what the 5000 fine grit sandpaper is for). Next, take some polish on a microfiber rag and apply it to the hazy area. This will help sand down the area further and restore shine. Finally, apply clay bar wax to the area to finish the process and get it looking like-new again. Need more tips or have major car paint damage that needs to be repaired? Call us - we're ready to help make it happen. Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001.

Is the exterior of your car looking a little worse for the wear? Whether a branch fell and scratched the hood or someone got a little too friendly with their shopping car in the parking lot, car paint damage happens. It can leave your car looking less-than-new and over time, actually lead to rust damage (which is expensive and time-consuming to fix). Toyota of Orlando is here with tips to help you combat car paint damage at home (unless you're not feeling confident, in which case our Toyota Collision Center has got you covered!). Toyota of Orlando's paint for getting rid of scratches First things first - before you actually get to work, you need to figure out how deep the scratch is and if you're capable of handling it from home. Your car paint has several layers that give it both durability and shine, including the base body panel coat, a primer coat, clay bar wax, the actual body paint coat, and then a clear coat to protect it and give it shine. Here's how to tell how deep that scratch actually is: Clear coat scratches are visible but fade when your car gets wet and then reappear when it dries. A body coat scratch won't fade but actually looks white inside the scratch. A base body panel or primer scratch (the deepest) is gray or black in color. Once you've determined what type of car paint damage you have and whether or not you feel comfortable fixing it, it's time to gather supplies. For this DIY auto repair, you'll need a few clean microfiber cloths, sandpaper, fine scratch polish, soapy water, and a power polisher. Repair your car paint damage like a pro Step 1: Clean the area where the car paint damage is with the soapy water and dry it with a microfiber cloth. This will help prevent you from polishing or rubbing sand or grit into the paint, damaging it further. Then, tape the area off. This will help you remember the exact area you should be working in. Step 2: Begin sanding. You'll want to be careful - our Orlando Toyota collision center recommends starting with a 3000 fine grit sandpaper (5000 will also be OK) and wrapping a dish sponge in the paper so you avoid pressure points from your fingertips showing up in your sanding. Apply soapy water to the area you're going to sand and get started. You should use medium pressure and sand until the area has a hazy look and you can no longer see the scratch. Step 3: Get polishing and waxing. If you can't see the scratch anymore, then it's time to move to the next step. Continue with a little bit of sanding - this time you want to sand around the scratch and existing sanded area to add a little feathering to the hazy area (this is what the 5000 fine grit sandpaper is for). Next, take some polish on a microfiber rag and apply it to the hazy area. This will help sand down the area further and restore shine. Finally, apply clay bar wax to the area to finish the process and get it looking like-new again. Need more tips or have major car paint damage that needs to be repaired? Call us - we're ready to help make it happen. Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001.

Do you have a clear idea of what's going on under your car's hood? Not a lot of drivers do, and that's OK - that's what our Orlando Toyota service experts are here for. However, it does help to have a basic knowledge of how things work so you can make more knowledgable decisions about your car care. Today, we're giving you the basics when it comes to your car's serpentine belt. Find out what it does, why it's important, what happens if it breaks, and how to tell if you need to service or replace it. What is the serpentine belt? First, what is the serpentine belt? Basically, it's one long, winding (that's why it's called serpentine) belt that sends power to your car's air conditioner, alternator, power steering pump, and in some cases even your water pump. Cars haven't always had them - believe it or not, they used to have individual belts to serve each individual part. This was inefficient, though, because the belts all wore down differently and had to be maintained and replaced at different times. (It caused a lot more maintenance than was necessary.) Thus, the introduction of the serpentine belt to replace all of the individual belts. Obviously, the serpentine belt plays an essential role in your car's performance. If it breaks, you're not going to be getting power to a good number of your car's accessories, and that can lead to serious performance problems. Additionally, when the belt breaks it can damage OTHER parts of the engine, leading to a ton of expensive repairs to get your Orlando Toyota up and running again. That's why it's important to maintain it and when necessary, replace it. Luckily, serpentine belts usually only need to be replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. They're made of thick, durable rubber and built to last. As long as you have it checked with a visual inspection once a year, you should be good to go. Signs it's time to schedule a replacement at Toyota of Orlando So, how do you know if the belt is about to wear out and is due for replacement? Here are some telltale signs you're going to need Orlando auto service soon: You spot cracks or tears in the belt The belt has a "glazed" look - it looks sort of shiny Pieces of rubber are flaking off You're having problems with your alternator and getting your car started Your check engine light comes on (we know this can mean a lot of things, but it's also a sign of problems with your serpentine belt, so it's worth bringing your car into Toyota of Orlando for an inspection) You hear squealing or chirping under the hood - this is caused when the belt slipping due to stretching, a leak in the engine, or the belt's pulley working improperly Your power steering stops working You notice issues with other accessories like your water pump or air conditioning Think you need auto maintenance for your serpentine belt? Call Toyota of Orlando today at (407) 298-0001 or schedule an appointment online. You can also visit us at 3575 Vineland Road!

Do you have a clear idea of what's going on under your car's hood? Not a lot of drivers do, and that's OK - that's what our Orlando Toyota service experts are here for. However, it does help to have a basic knowledge of how things work so you can make more knowledgable decisions about your car care. Today, we're giving you the basics when it comes to your car's serpentine belt. Find out what it does, why it's important, what happens if it breaks, and how to tell if you need to service or replace it. What is the serpentine belt? First, what is the serpentine belt? Basically, it's one long, winding (that's why it's called serpentine) belt that sends power to your car's air conditioner, alternator, power steering pump, and in some cases even your water pump. Cars haven't always had them - believe it or not, they used to have individual belts to serve each individual part. This was inefficient, though, because the belts all wore down differently and had to be maintained and replaced at different times. (It caused a lot more maintenance than was necessary.) Thus, the introduction of the serpentine belt to replace all of the individual belts. Obviously, the serpentine belt plays an essential role in your car's performance. If it breaks, you're not going to be getting power to a good number of your car's accessories, and that can lead to serious performance problems. Additionally, when the belt breaks it can damage OTHER parts of the engine, leading to a ton of expensive repairs to get your Orlando Toyota up and running again. That's why it's important to maintain it and when necessary, replace it. Luckily, serpentine belts usually only need to be replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. They're made of thick, durable rubber and built to last. As long as you have it checked with a visual inspection once a year, you should be good to go. Signs it's time to schedule a replacement at Toyota of Orlando So, how do you know if the belt is about to wear out and is due for replacement? Here are some telltale signs you're going to need Orlando auto service soon: You spot cracks or tears in the belt The belt has a "glazed" look - it looks sort of shiny Pieces of rubber are flaking off You're having problems with your alternator and getting your car started Your check engine light comes on (we know this can mean a lot of things, but it's also a sign of problems with your serpentine belt, so it's worth bringing your car into Toyota of Orlando for an inspection) You hear squealing or chirping under the hood - this is caused when the belt slipping due to stretching, a leak in the engine, or the belt's pulley working improperly Your power steering stops working You notice issues with other accessories like your water pump or air conditioning Think you need auto maintenance for your serpentine belt? Call Toyota of Orlando today at (407) 298-0001 or schedule an appointment online. You can also visit us at 3575 Vineland Road!

Summer is coming to the City Beautiful, which means temperatures are about to climb (they're already in the 90s and we foresee them creeping upward in the next month or so). This intense season can do a number on your car if you're not ready for it, but don't worry - Toyota of Orlando is here to get you prepped and ready with seasonal car maintenance for summer today. Even if you're spending your summer social distancing, you still need a reliable ride to get to the grocery store and other essential errands. Let us help you have a car that you can depend on, no matter how hot the weather! Schedule these four seasonal car maintenance appointments before summer arrives 1. Schedule an oil change. Oil will keep your engine cool and lubricated no matter how hot it gets outside, and without it you're running a big risk of serious damage and very expensive repairs. Schedule an Orlando oil change as part of your seasonal car maintenance to ensure your oil tank is full of clean oil. This way, your engine can stay cool when working hard and you have a reliable ride all summer long. 2. Have your tires rotated. Your tires take a beating in the summer. Not only is it hot out, the pavement is also extremely hot. You should schedule a tire rotation for your seasonal car maintenance so your tires wear evenly, but also have our techs inspect your tires. They can check to ensure they don't have any issues other than normal wear and tear and that they're inflated to the right PSI for safety and fuel efficiency. 3. Have our techs inspect your air conditioning. There's not much worse than riding around in a car with no air conditioning. Have our techs inspect your system NOW for any flaws or issues that might prevent you from staying cool this summer. They can get you on track to a much more comfortable drive time in no time! 4. Buy new wiper blades. Summer means rain in Central Florida (contrary to what tourists think). Make sure you're ready to complete your commute in bad weather - get a new set of wiper blades! Yours are probably worn out from the heat last summer, so get a fresh pair at our Orlando Toyota parts store. Our techs can even help you install them! Toyota of Orlando's DIY tips for summer car prep And here are a few DIY things you can tackle from the comfort of your garage (or just ask our techs - they're happy to help!): Check your coolant levels - make sure you take a peek at your coolant tank to ensure it's full and ready to handle the heat. Inspect under the hood - be on the lookout for any cracked or worn belts and hoses that could lead to issues when faced with summer heat Ask our techs to check your battery - you don't want to be stranded with a dead car if your battery isn't ready for summer And don't forget to wax your car! The summer sun is intense and can damage your car's paint over time. Get a quality wax from the Toyota of Orlando parts store and give your ride a coat of sunscreen. Have questions or need to schedule service? Call us at (407) 298-0001 today!

Summer is coming to the City Beautiful, which means temperatures are about to climb (they're already in the 90s and we foresee them creeping upward in the next month or so). This intense season can do a number on your car if you're not ready for it, but don't worry - Toyota of Orlando is here to get you prepped and ready with seasonal car maintenance for summer today. Even if you're spending your summer social distancing, you still need a reliable ride to get to the grocery store and other essential errands. Let us help you have a car that you can depend on, no matter how hot the weather! Schedule these four seasonal car maintenance appointments before summer arrives 1. Schedule an oil change. Oil will keep your engine cool and lubricated no matter how hot it gets outside, and without it you're running a big risk of serious damage and very expensive repairs. Schedule an Orlando oil change as part of your seasonal car maintenance to ensure your oil tank is full of clean oil. This way, your engine can stay cool when working hard and you have a reliable ride all summer long. 2. Have your tires rotated. Your tires take a beating in the summer. Not only is it hot out, the pavement is also extremely hot. You should schedule a tire rotation for your seasonal car maintenance so your tires wear evenly, but also have our techs inspect your tires. They can check to ensure they don't have any issues other than normal wear and tear and that they're inflated to the right PSI for safety and fuel efficiency. 3. Have our techs inspect your air conditioning. There's not much worse than riding around in a car with no air conditioning. Have our techs inspect your system NOW for any flaws or issues that might prevent you from staying cool this summer. They can get you on track to a much more comfortable drive time in no time! 4. Buy new wiper blades. Summer means rain in Central Florida (contrary to what tourists think). Make sure you're ready to complete your commute in bad weather - get a new set of wiper blades! Yours are probably worn out from the heat last summer, so get a fresh pair at our Orlando Toyota parts store. Our techs can even help you install them! Toyota of Orlando's DIY tips for summer car prep And here are a few DIY things you can tackle from the comfort of your garage (or just ask our techs - they're happy to help!): Check your coolant levels - make sure you take a peek at your coolant tank to ensure it's full and ready to handle the heat. Inspect under the hood - be on the lookout for any cracked or worn belts and hoses that could lead to issues when faced with summer heat Ask our techs to check your battery - you don't want to be stranded with a dead car if your battery isn't ready for summer And don't forget to wax your car! The summer sun is intense and can damage your car's paint over time. Get a quality wax from the Toyota of Orlando parts store and give your ride a coat of sunscreen. Have questions or need to schedule service? Call us at (407) 298-0001 today!

Do you think you do a good job taking care of your car tires? It's a pretty essential part of car care, after all - your tires play a crucial part in performance and if you're not taking care of them, you'll likely have to replace them more often AND face the possibility of flats and blowouts. Toyota of Orlando's auto service techs made a list of seven quick tips to help you care for your car tires like an expert - check it out! 7 car tire care tips Tip 1: Check your tire pressure on the regular. How often do you check your car tire pressure? We recommend performing this easy maintenance once a week - all you have to do is use a tire pressure gauge to quickly read the number. Make sure your tires are properly inflated to the proper PSI (you can find it on the doorjamb of the driver's side door) and if they're low, add air to get them to the right level. Tip 2: Do the penny test. You should also check your tire tread on a regular basis, as that's what gives you traction. You can do the penny test - take a penny and stick it into your tire tread with Abe Lincoln's head down. If you can see the top of his head, you don't have enough tread and it's time for new tires. Tip 3: Don't overload your ride. Overloading your ride with too much weight is bad for your car in general, but did you know it can also do a number on your tires? Too much weight causes your car tires to wear out faster, which means you have to replace them more often. Tip 4: Care for your spare. Don't forget about your spare! You never know when you'll need it, so take it out of the trunk once a month and check the PSI as well as the general condition to ensure you can use it should you ever be stuck in a pinch. Tip 5: Mix it up. Get tire rotations as scheduled! Our Orlando Toyota service techs can get you on a schedule for this essential car maintenance. They'll switch your tires from left to right and front to back to make sure they all wear evenly and last longer. Tip 6: Don't put off repairs. If you need repairs or maintenance, don't put it off. Driving on a damaged tire leaves you prone to blowouts (and accidents), and hitting a pothole or curb can actually damage your car's alignment. Schedule service at our Orlando auto service center as soon as you can. Tip 7: Be a mindful driver. Be mindful - try to avoid road debris and other hazards so you don't damage your tires, and don't drive around constructions sites (there are nails, screws, and other sharp objects everywhere!). Schedule car care with our Orlando Toyota experts Want more expert car care tips? Call Toyota of Orlando today - we're open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001. You can also swing by and talk to our techs at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.

Do you think you do a good job taking care of your car tires? It's a pretty essential part of car care, after all - your tires play a crucial part in performance and if you're not taking care of them, you'll likely have to replace them more often AND face the possibility of flats and blowouts. Toyota of Orlando's auto service techs made a list of seven quick tips to help you care for your car tires like an expert - check it out! 7 car tire care tips Tip 1: Check your tire pressure on the regular. How often do you check your car tire pressure? We recommend performing this easy maintenance once a week - all you have to do is use a tire pressure gauge to quickly read the number. Make sure your tires are properly inflated to the proper PSI (you can find it on the doorjamb of the driver's side door) and if they're low, add air to get them to the right level. Tip 2: Do the penny test. You should also check your tire tread on a regular basis, as that's what gives you traction. You can do the penny test - take a penny and stick it into your tire tread with Abe Lincoln's head down. If you can see the top of his head, you don't have enough tread and it's time for new tires. Tip 3: Don't overload your ride. Overloading your ride with too much weight is bad for your car in general, but did you know it can also do a number on your tires? Too much weight causes your car tires to wear out faster, which means you have to replace them more often. Tip 4: Care for your spare. Don't forget about your spare! You never know when you'll need it, so take it out of the trunk once a month and check the PSI as well as the general condition to ensure you can use it should you ever be stuck in a pinch. Tip 5: Mix it up. Get tire rotations as scheduled! Our Orlando Toyota service techs can get you on a schedule for this essential car maintenance. They'll switch your tires from left to right and front to back to make sure they all wear evenly and last longer. Tip 6: Don't put off repairs. If you need repairs or maintenance, don't put it off. Driving on a damaged tire leaves you prone to blowouts (and accidents), and hitting a pothole or curb can actually damage your car's alignment. Schedule service at our Orlando auto service center as soon as you can. Tip 7: Be a mindful driver. Be mindful - try to avoid road debris and other hazards so you don't damage your tires, and don't drive around constructions sites (there are nails, screws, and other sharp objects everywhere!). Schedule car care with our Orlando Toyota experts Want more expert car care tips? Call Toyota of Orlando today - we're open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001. You can also swing by and talk to our techs at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.

The rainy season is on its way - we're getting our fair share of wet weather this weekend in Central Florida. Are you ready for our notorious summer thunderstorms? It seems it rains nearly every day in the summer in the City Beautiful, and it can make your daily commute a little bit messier than usual if you're not prepared. Check out our car care tips for getting your ride ready for the rainy season, and visit our Orlando Toyota service center to make it happen! Don't skip these four car care appointments before rainy season starts TIRES Before rainy season arrives, take the time to check out your tires. How's the tread looking? You can do a simple tread check by inserting a penny into the tread of your car's tire with Abe Lincoln's head down. If you can see the top of his hair, then your tread depth is too low and you need new tires. Tires without the proper amount of tread can't grip the road, especially in wet weather, which means you're at high risk of getting into an accident. You should also stay on top of car care like tire rotations, wheel alignments, and inflation. BRAKES Slick conditions may mean you need to come to a sudden or unexpected stop to avoid road hazards and other vehicles. Are your brakes in good enough shape to handle it? Make sure you stay on top of car care like brake service at our Orlando Toyota service center so you're ready for anything, no matter how wet the weather outside. WIPERS Are your wipers in good enough condition to tackle the rainy season? They should be able to clear your windshield with every pass. If your windshield wipers are smearing water around, leaving streaks, or making squealing or chittering noises, then you need to visit our car care center for a new set. We can help you pick them out AND install them on your car. HEADLIGHTS You'll also need to ensure your headlights are in good condition when the weather is wet. You should always turn on your headlights (but not your brights) when driving in the rain so other drivers can see you. Check your brake lights and turn signals, too, so other drivers know where you're going and when you're slowing down or stopping. And just a friendly reminder - you should NOT drive with your hazard lights on in heavy rain. These lights are only intended for use if you're pulled over on the side of the road and trying to alert other drivers of your car's whereabouts. Schedule your car care at Toyota of Orlando Have questions about car care for rainy season? Call us! Toyota of Orlando is open and ready to help at (407) 298-0001. You can also visit us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from Millenia Mall, and rest assured - we're taking every precaution in the wake of COVID-19 to protect our customers AND our employees.

The rainy season is on its way - we're getting our fair share of wet weather this weekend in Central Florida. Are you ready for our notorious summer thunderstorms? It seems it rains nearly every day in the summer in the City Beautiful, and it can make your daily commute a little bit messier than usual if you're not prepared. Check out our car care tips for getting your ride ready for the rainy season, and visit our Orlando Toyota service center to make it happen! Don't skip these four car care appointments before rainy season starts TIRES Before rainy season arrives, take the time to check out your tires. How's the tread looking? You can do a simple tread check by inserting a penny into the tread of your car's tire with Abe Lincoln's head down. If you can see the top of his hair, then your tread depth is too low and you need new tires. Tires without the proper amount of tread can't grip the road, especially in wet weather, which means you're at high risk of getting into an accident. You should also stay on top of car care like tire rotations, wheel alignments, and inflation. BRAKES Slick conditions may mean you need to come to a sudden or unexpected stop to avoid road hazards and other vehicles. Are your brakes in good enough shape to handle it? Make sure you stay on top of car care like brake service at our Orlando Toyota service center so you're ready for anything, no matter how wet the weather outside. WIPERS Are your wipers in good enough condition to tackle the rainy season? They should be able to clear your windshield with every pass. If your windshield wipers are smearing water around, leaving streaks, or making squealing or chittering noises, then you need to visit our car care center for a new set. We can help you pick them out AND install them on your car. HEADLIGHTS You'll also need to ensure your headlights are in good condition when the weather is wet. You should always turn on your headlights (but not your brights) when driving in the rain so other drivers can see you. Check your brake lights and turn signals, too, so other drivers know where you're going and when you're slowing down or stopping. And just a friendly reminder - you should NOT drive with your hazard lights on in heavy rain. These lights are only intended for use if you're pulled over on the side of the road and trying to alert other drivers of your car's whereabouts. Schedule your car care at Toyota of Orlando Have questions about car care for rainy season? Call us! Toyota of Orlando is open and ready to help at (407) 298-0001. You can also visit us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from Millenia Mall, and rest assured - we're taking every precaution in the wake of COVID-19 to protect our customers AND our employees.

Your car battery is an essential part of your car's performance. It produces a ton of power so that you can both start your car AND keep it running while it's out on the road. In fact, it produces so much power that without some assistance, it would drain pretty quickly. That's where your car alternator comes into play - this critical component actually recycles energy to charge your car battery AND help power the electrical system. Without it, you're going nowhere fast. That's why it's important to be able to recognize when you're having problems with your car alternator, and Toyota of Orlando's auto service techs are here to help. Check out their quick checklist and if any of these signs sound familiar, schedule car care with them today! Don't ignore these six signs of car alternator issues Sign #1: The warning light is on There's actually a warning light for your car alternator in some vehicles; it's shaped like a battery and may say ALT or GEN underneath. However, your battery warning light might also serve as a warning sign that you're due for some car maintenance at Toyota of Orlando. Don't ignore it! Sign #2: Your car battery is giving you trouble Does it seem like you're having trouble getting your car started, even when you know your battery should be good? This can be a sign that your car alternator isn't working. Remember, it recharges your battery when the engine is running because the battery has to produce so much power. If it's not working, the battery will start to drain fast. Sign #3: Your car's lights are dim When you start your vehicle, do you notice that your interior and exterior lights seem dimmer than normal? Or maybe they start out bright but as you drive, they start to dim. This is an indicator of a problem with your car alternator; it helps to power your electrical system, so your lights dimming means the system isn't getting enough power. Sign #4: You smell something burning when the car is running Sometimes you can have problems with this essential part because of the belts it's associated with. It works in conjunction with a system of belts and when they aren't working properly or turning as they should, they can create friction. In turn, this can create a weird burning smell (kind of like an electrical fire) when your car is in action. Luckily, our Orlando car maintenance techs can fix this by tightening or repairing the belts to get you back out on the road. Sign #5: You see a broken belt If you can actually see a broken belt under the hood, that's likely your issue! Bring your car to Toyota of Orlando to have our expert auto service techs get things up and running again. Sign #6: You hear grinding or whining noises from the engine bay Your car alternator has to utilize a lot of moving parts to be able to create all the necessary power. If one of those parts breaks or comes loose, it can create odd noises inside the engine bay. If you hear these alongside any of the above signs, it's time to visit our Toyota service center. Schedule auto repairs at Toyota of Orlando today Have questions? Come on in - we're open and ready to serve you at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall. You can call to schedule an appointment ahead of time at (407) 298-0001!

Your car battery is an essential part of your car's performance. It produces a ton of power so that you can both start your car AND keep it running while it's out on the road. In fact, it produces so much power that without some assistance, it would drain pretty quickly. That's where your car alternator comes into play - this critical component actually recycles energy to charge your car battery AND help power the electrical system. Without it, you're going nowhere fast. That's why it's important to be able to recognize when you're having problems with your car alternator, and Toyota of Orlando's auto service techs are here to help. Check out their quick checklist and if any of these signs sound familiar, schedule car care with them today! Don't ignore these six signs of car alternator issues Sign #1: The warning light is on There's actually a warning light for your car alternator in some vehicles; it's shaped like a battery and may say ALT or GEN underneath. However, your battery warning light might also serve as a warning sign that you're due for some car maintenance at Toyota of Orlando. Don't ignore it! Sign #2: Your car battery is giving you trouble Does it seem like you're having trouble getting your car started, even when you know your battery should be good? This can be a sign that your car alternator isn't working. Remember, it recharges your battery when the engine is running because the battery has to produce so much power. If it's not working, the battery will start to drain fast. Sign #3: Your car's lights are dim When you start your vehicle, do you notice that your interior and exterior lights seem dimmer than normal? Or maybe they start out bright but as you drive, they start to dim. This is an indicator of a problem with your car alternator; it helps to power your electrical system, so your lights dimming means the system isn't getting enough power. Sign #4: You smell something burning when the car is running Sometimes you can have problems with this essential part because of the belts it's associated with. It works in conjunction with a system of belts and when they aren't working properly or turning as they should, they can create friction. In turn, this can create a weird burning smell (kind of like an electrical fire) when your car is in action. Luckily, our Orlando car maintenance techs can fix this by tightening or repairing the belts to get you back out on the road. Sign #5: You see a broken belt If you can actually see a broken belt under the hood, that's likely your issue! Bring your car to Toyota of Orlando to have our expert auto service techs get things up and running again. Sign #6: You hear grinding or whining noises from the engine bay Your car alternator has to utilize a lot of moving parts to be able to create all the necessary power. If one of those parts breaks or comes loose, it can create odd noises inside the engine bay. If you hear these alongside any of the above signs, it's time to visit our Toyota service center. Schedule auto repairs at Toyota of Orlando today Have questions? Come on in - we're open and ready to serve you at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall. You can call to schedule an appointment ahead of time at (407) 298-0001!