Blog

When it comes to shopping for the perfect family vehicle, there are a lot of options out there. Not only do you have to pick the type of vehicle you want, you also have to choose the make and model as well as decide about things like trim-level, packages, and accessories. We can give you recommendations when it comes to make and model (hint, hint) but let's start with the most basic question for family car shoppers - what TYPE of vehicle is going to be the best for your drive time needs? Should you drive a Toyota SUV or a minivan? The two most common choices for family cars are SUVs and minivans. They have their similarities, but they also definitely have their differences. We're here to pick them apart so you can decide which is going to suit your driving needs more efficiently. Space Some drivers want their family-friendly vehicle to be as spacious as possible inside; other drivers are willing to sacrifice a bit of space to have something that's fuel-efficient and sporty. You can have either when you shop our Orlando Toyotas! The Toyota Sienna minivan is super spacious, offering seating for up to eight with 39.1 cubic feet of cargo space and gets 19/27 mpg. The Toyota Highlander can also seat up to eight with 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space and gets 21/27 mpg (although there is a more efficient hybrid option up for grabs). The Toyota RAV4 seats five and has 38.4 cubic feet of cargo space available, and gets 23/30 mpg. Family-friendly features Looking for features that can make your drive time easy, efficient, and stress-free? While Toyota SUVs have great features that can help make that happen (like Bluetooth wireless streaming, automatic climate control, and fold-flat rear seats), the Orlando Toyota Sienna has all of those features and more. With this unique Toyota minivan, you'll find features like dual power sliding doors, Driver Easy Speak, and a dual-view Blu-Ray entertainment center with wireless headphones. All in all, the minivan takes the cake when it comes to true family features, but the SUVs are a close second. Versatility For some drivers, versatility is the name of the game. We have to admit that in this category, Orlando Toyota SUVs take the top spot. You can take home an SUV like the Toyota 4Runner which is spacious and has tons of family-oriented efficiency features, but still packs a punch in terms of performance with off-road features and towing capabilities. It offers things like four-wheel drive, CRAWL Control, Multi-terrain Select, and towing of up to 5,000 pounds. It's perfect for both work AND play, offering you the versatility you need from a family vehicle. Test drive both at Toyota of Orlando However, the best way to find out is to get behind the wheel - so come in for a test drive! Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week until 10 pm at 3575 Vineland Road. We're conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall! You can call us ahead of time to schedule your test drive at (407) 298-4500.

When it comes to shopping for the perfect family vehicle, there are a lot of options out there. Not only do you have to pick the type of vehicle you want, you also have to choose the make and model as well as decide about things like trim-level, packages, and accessories. We can give you recommendations when it comes to make and model (hint, hint) but let's start with the most basic question for family car shoppers - what TYPE of vehicle is going to be the best for your drive time needs? Should you drive a Toyota SUV or a minivan? The two most common choices for family cars are SUVs and minivans. They have their similarities, but they also definitely have their differences. We're here to pick them apart so you can decide which is going to suit your driving needs more efficiently. Space Some drivers want their family-friendly vehicle to be as spacious as possible inside; other drivers are willing to sacrifice a bit of space to have something that's fuel-efficient and sporty. You can have either when you shop our Orlando Toyotas! The Toyota Sienna minivan is super spacious, offering seating for up to eight with 39.1 cubic feet of cargo space and gets 19/27 mpg. The Toyota Highlander can also seat up to eight with 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space and gets 21/27 mpg (although there is a more efficient hybrid option up for grabs). The Toyota RAV4 seats five and has 38.4 cubic feet of cargo space available, and gets 23/30 mpg. Family-friendly features Looking for features that can make your drive time easy, efficient, and stress-free? While Toyota SUVs have great features that can help make that happen (like Bluetooth wireless streaming, automatic climate control, and fold-flat rear seats), the Orlando Toyota Sienna has all of those features and more. With this unique Toyota minivan, you'll find features like dual power sliding doors, Driver Easy Speak, and a dual-view Blu-Ray entertainment center with wireless headphones. All in all, the minivan takes the cake when it comes to true family features, but the SUVs are a close second. Versatility For some drivers, versatility is the name of the game. We have to admit that in this category, Orlando Toyota SUVs take the top spot. You can take home an SUV like the Toyota 4Runner which is spacious and has tons of family-oriented efficiency features, but still packs a punch in terms of performance with off-road features and towing capabilities. It offers things like four-wheel drive, CRAWL Control, Multi-terrain Select, and towing of up to 5,000 pounds. It's perfect for both work AND play, offering you the versatility you need from a family vehicle. Test drive both at Toyota of Orlando However, the best way to find out is to get behind the wheel - so come in for a test drive! Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week until 10 pm at 3575 Vineland Road. We're conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall! You can call us ahead of time to schedule your test drive at (407) 298-4500.

When the weather is warm - and let's face it, that's pretty much every day here in Central Florida - you have to take care to ensure your car can beat the heat and still maintain an efficient and reliable performance. One of the major problems that people face when it's hot is their car overheating, which is why we've gathered information from our Orlando auto service techs that explain what this issue is, what causes it, and what to do if you experience it. Why is your car overheating? Let's get started! Why is my car overheating? When you're wondering "why is my car overheating?", you're basically dealing with a car that has become too hot to function so it eventually shuts itself off. Something inside the cooling system in the engine is preventing it from doing its job, so the engine will eventually shut down in order to prevent major damage. Here are some of the main reasons you may have to deal with your car overheating: Your water pump is broken. This is the part of the cooling system that literally pumps coolant throughout, so if it's broken, the coolant can't get where it needs to go to keep the temperature reasonable inside the engine. You have a leak somewhere. This can be caused by broken or worn hoses and results in not enough coolant making its way through the cooling system, which in turn means the car overheats. You'll need to have the hose replaced. You have a hose blockage. Conversely, if your hose is blocked instead of leaking, you're still having issues with the coolant getting where it needs to go. Our Orlando Toyota service techs will have to go in and figure out which hose in blocked and remove the blockage or replace the hose. Your radiator isn't functioning properly. The radiator is the part of the cooling system that takes the old, heated up coolant that's been circling the engine block and cools it back down again. When it doesn't work, the fluid stays warm and can't cool the engine properly. And don't forget to check your coolant - if you're using the wrong type of there's not enough of it, you may risk your car overheating. What to do if you're asking why your car is overheating So, what should you do when faced with this situation? Here are tips from our Orlando Toyota techs: Pull over - driving with an overheated engine can lead to big-time issues and subsequently, costly repairs. Put the car in park and try revving the engine, which can force more coolant through the cooling system. Opening the hood will also help release some heat, as will running the heat inside the car's cabin. Check the coolant levels to see if they're low from not being topped off or from a leak. NEVER check the radiator (by removing the cap) - you can seriously burn yourself. If nothing seems to be cooling down, call a tow truck rather than risk driving your vehicle to an auto service center. Wondering why is my car overheating and need to schedule Orlando auto service for your engine? Call us today at (407) 298-0001!

When the weather is warm - and let's face it, that's pretty much every day here in Central Florida - you have to take care to ensure your car can beat the heat and still maintain an efficient and reliable performance. One of the major problems that people face when it's hot is their car overheating, which is why we've gathered information from our Orlando auto service techs that explain what this issue is, what causes it, and what to do if you experience it. Why is your car overheating? Let's get started! Why is my car overheating? When you're wondering "why is my car overheating?", you're basically dealing with a car that has become too hot to function so it eventually shuts itself off. Something inside the cooling system in the engine is preventing it from doing its job, so the engine will eventually shut down in order to prevent major damage. Here are some of the main reasons you may have to deal with your car overheating: Your water pump is broken. This is the part of the cooling system that literally pumps coolant throughout, so if it's broken, the coolant can't get where it needs to go to keep the temperature reasonable inside the engine. You have a leak somewhere. This can be caused by broken or worn hoses and results in not enough coolant making its way through the cooling system, which in turn means the car overheats. You'll need to have the hose replaced. You have a hose blockage. Conversely, if your hose is blocked instead of leaking, you're still having issues with the coolant getting where it needs to go. Our Orlando Toyota service techs will have to go in and figure out which hose in blocked and remove the blockage or replace the hose. Your radiator isn't functioning properly. The radiator is the part of the cooling system that takes the old, heated up coolant that's been circling the engine block and cools it back down again. When it doesn't work, the fluid stays warm and can't cool the engine properly. And don't forget to check your coolant - if you're using the wrong type of there's not enough of it, you may risk your car overheating. What to do if you're asking why your car is overheating So, what should you do when faced with this situation? Here are tips from our Orlando Toyota techs: Pull over - driving with an overheated engine can lead to big-time issues and subsequently, costly repairs. Put the car in park and try revving the engine, which can force more coolant through the cooling system. Opening the hood will also help release some heat, as will running the heat inside the car's cabin. Check the coolant levels to see if they're low from not being topped off or from a leak. NEVER check the radiator (by removing the cap) - you can seriously burn yourself. If nothing seems to be cooling down, call a tow truck rather than risk driving your vehicle to an auto service center. Wondering why is my car overheating and need to schedule Orlando auto service for your engine? Call us today at (407) 298-0001!

The race is on when it comes to autonomous vehicles - it seems that every car maker is working on some sort of technology to get their driverless cars out on the road. However, as seen in recent news, it's not always safe to test this technology out on the road. That's why Toyota has announced that it's going to be building a new testing facility for this very purpose. Toyota of Orlando has the details about this up-and-coming project and the technology that will be tested there. New autonomous vehicle testing facility coming to Michigan First, let's talk about this incredible new facility. Toyota was doing autonomous testing on public roads, but recently halted the program due to safety concerns about testing in real-time scenarios. The facility is going to be located in Michigan (where a lot of the research and safety facilities are already located) and will span 60 acres, giving Toyota plenty of space to test out new technology in their autonomous vehicles. Specifically, it'll be built in the Michigan Technical Resource Park in Ottawa Lake, Michigan. This facility has an existing 1.75 mile loop in it, but Toyota is taking things to the next level when it comes to testing and needs more space. They'll be able to test a lot of different scenarios multiple times to see how they need to hone their technology to respond. 60 acres may sound like a lot, but it'll ensure that Toyota has the space they need to replicate real-life scenarios with cars and pedestrians to ensure their autonomous vehicles react as needed. The facility will include scenarios like crowded city streets, divided highways, slippery roads, snow, fog, tight corners, and more to give the vehicles plenty of different drive time situations to contend with. The site will officially open in October and we predict that a lot of automakers will be following in Toyota's footsteps - there's been a lot of discussion about whether it's safe to test on public roads in real-time situations. Toyota has been working on autonomous vehicles for years; in fact, they just partnered with Denso and Aisin (heavy hitters in the world of technology and automotive research) to fine-tune this technology and get it ready for consumers. They invested $2.8 billion into their research, and our Orlando Toyota dealership is excited about the results we'll undoubtedly see over the next few years. Explore all the Orlando Toyota technology up for grabs now Autonomous vehicles aren't up for grabs anywhere in the US, but we do have some other pretty cool technology for you to explore when you visit our Orlando Toyota dealership. Here are some features we love in our current cars: Bird's Eye View Camera with 360-degree views around your car Integrated navigation with turn-by-turn instructions Qi wireless charging for all of your devices Parking assist for tight and parallel spots Toyota Safety Sense P with a pre-collision system and pedestrian detection Come test it all out in person! We're just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road, and we're open seven days a week for your convenience.

The race is on when it comes to autonomous vehicles - it seems that every car maker is working on some sort of technology to get their driverless cars out on the road. However, as seen in recent news, it's not always safe to test this technology out on the road. That's why Toyota has announced that it's going to be building a new testing facility for this very purpose. Toyota of Orlando has the details about this up-and-coming project and the technology that will be tested there. New autonomous vehicle testing facility coming to Michigan First, let's talk about this incredible new facility. Toyota was doing autonomous testing on public roads, but recently halted the program due to safety concerns about testing in real-time scenarios. The facility is going to be located in Michigan (where a lot of the research and safety facilities are already located) and will span 60 acres, giving Toyota plenty of space to test out new technology in their autonomous vehicles. Specifically, it'll be built in the Michigan Technical Resource Park in Ottawa Lake, Michigan. This facility has an existing 1.75 mile loop in it, but Toyota is taking things to the next level when it comes to testing and needs more space. They'll be able to test a lot of different scenarios multiple times to see how they need to hone their technology to respond. 60 acres may sound like a lot, but it'll ensure that Toyota has the space they need to replicate real-life scenarios with cars and pedestrians to ensure their autonomous vehicles react as needed. The facility will include scenarios like crowded city streets, divided highways, slippery roads, snow, fog, tight corners, and more to give the vehicles plenty of different drive time situations to contend with. The site will officially open in October and we predict that a lot of automakers will be following in Toyota's footsteps - there's been a lot of discussion about whether it's safe to test on public roads in real-time situations. Toyota has been working on autonomous vehicles for years; in fact, they just partnered with Denso and Aisin (heavy hitters in the world of technology and automotive research) to fine-tune this technology and get it ready for consumers. They invested $2.8 billion into their research, and our Orlando Toyota dealership is excited about the results we'll undoubtedly see over the next few years. Explore all the Orlando Toyota technology up for grabs now Autonomous vehicles aren't up for grabs anywhere in the US, but we do have some other pretty cool technology for you to explore when you visit our Orlando Toyota dealership. Here are some features we love in our current cars: Bird's Eye View Camera with 360-degree views around your car Integrated navigation with turn-by-turn instructions Qi wireless charging for all of your devices Parking assist for tight and parallel spots Toyota Safety Sense P with a pre-collision system and pedestrian detection Come test it all out in person! We're just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road, and we're open seven days a week for your convenience.

Are you thinking about trading in your car? For some people, it's as simple as walking into the dealership and handing over their keys. However, if you want to get the most bang for your buck (whether you're getting cash for your car or rolling the equity into another purchase), then there are some simple steps you should take before you trade in. Toyota of Orlando is here with 5 surefire tips to help you get your money's worth when it's time to turn in your keys. Tip #1: Gather your paperwork. When you're doing a trade in on a used car, you definitely need the title and your driver's license. However, having other paperwork on hand can also help. Our Orlando Toyota sales specialists recommend keeping auto service records so future buyers can rest assured that your car was well cared for. You should also keep any receipts from parts and accessories added to the vehicle as well as warranties that can be transferred to the new owners. Tip #2: Have your car detailed. If you trade in at a dealership, they'll undoubtedly clean your car before they put it back out on the lot. But remember that appearance counts. You should detail your car before you bring it in to be appraised for a trade! Take time to wash the exterior and apply a coat of protective wax (which also helps enhance the shine of the paint). Vacuum and wipe down the interior, being careful to get into all the nooks and crannies. If your seats or floor mats are stained, shampoo them to get them looking like-new again. It also helps to clean the windows (inside and out) and give the tires a shine. <span data-mce-type="bookmark" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> Tip #3: Take care of routine maintenance and small repairs. Make sure your car is up to date on routine car maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations, and brake service. No one wants to buy a car that's going to need to go into the shop immediately thereafter. Also, think about making small repairs - hammer out dents, replace burnt out fuses and bulbs, fixing a sagging headliner, etc. Major repairs may be more money and time than they're worth, so factor in how much the repair costs and how much it'll knock off the value of the car if you don't get it done. Is it worth having it fixed before you trade in to get more money for your car? Tip #4: Use an appraisal tool to get an idea of how much your car is worth. We have a handy appraisal tool on our website where you can find out how much your car is worth - use it so you can get a ballpark idea of the number you're looking for when you visit our Orlando Toyota dealership. Tip #5: Decide what you want to get for your car. Do you want to take cash for your car when you trade in, or are you looking to roll that equity into another purchase? Decide before you arrive at the dealership and then shop accordingly. Ready to trade in and get your money's worth? Call Toyota of Orlando today to schedule an appraisal at (407) 298-0001!

Are you thinking about trading in your car? For some people, it's as simple as walking into the dealership and handing over their keys. However, if you want to get the most bang for your buck (whether you're getting cash for your car or rolling the equity into another purchase), then there are some simple steps you should take before you trade in. Toyota of Orlando is here with 5 surefire tips to help you get your money's worth when it's time to turn in your keys. Tip #1: Gather your paperwork. When you're doing a trade in on a used car, you definitely need the title and your driver's license. However, having other paperwork on hand can also help. Our Orlando Toyota sales specialists recommend keeping auto service records so future buyers can rest assured that your car was well cared for. You should also keep any receipts from parts and accessories added to the vehicle as well as warranties that can be transferred to the new owners. Tip #2: Have your car detailed. If you trade in at a dealership, they'll undoubtedly clean your car before they put it back out on the lot. But remember that appearance counts. You should detail your car before you bring it in to be appraised for a trade! Take time to wash the exterior and apply a coat of protective wax (which also helps enhance the shine of the paint). Vacuum and wipe down the interior, being careful to get into all the nooks and crannies. If your seats or floor mats are stained, shampoo them to get them looking like-new again. It also helps to clean the windows (inside and out) and give the tires a shine. <span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> Tip #3: Take care of routine maintenance and small repairs. Make sure your car is up to date on routine car maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations, and brake service. No one wants to buy a car that's going to need to go into the shop immediately thereafter. Also, think about making small repairs - hammer out dents, replace burnt out fuses and bulbs, fixing a sagging headliner, etc. Major repairs may be more money and time than they're worth, so factor in how much the repair costs and how much it'll knock off the value of the car if you don't get it done. Is it worth having it fixed before you trade in to get more money for your car? Tip #4: Use an appraisal tool to get an idea of how much your car is worth. We have a handy appraisal tool on our website where you can find out how much your car is worth - use it so you can get a ballpark idea of the number you're looking for when you visit our Orlando Toyota dealership. Tip #5: Decide what you want to get for your car. Do you want to take cash for your car when you trade in, or are you looking to roll that equity into another purchase? Decide before you arrive at the dealership and then shop accordingly. Ready to trade in and get your money's worth? Call Toyota of Orlando today to schedule an appraisal at (407) 298-0001!

Chances are that at some point in your drive time, you've encountered a flat tire. It's a big inconvenience because not only do you have to change it and put on a spare to get anywhere (or wait hours for a tow truck), you also have to shell out money to replace the tire at an auto service center. We get it - it's a big annoyance. And while it's great to know how to change a flat tire, wouldn't it be even more helpful to know how to prevent them in the first place? Toyota of Orlando is here with 7 tips to help you avoid this emergency drive time situation. Tip #1: Don't buy low-quality tires. Low-quality tires are more likely to end up as flats because they're less durable, less reliable, and also have a shorter lifespan. It may hurt a little to shell out for high-quality tires (although our Orlando Toyota service center can get you a great deal on an affordable set), but it'll hurt more if you end up with a flat tire on an important day. Buy quality tires and get what you pay for! Tip #2: Be sure to keep an eye on the condition of your tires. Always monitor the condition of your tires by giving them a quick once-over on a weekly basis. This is just a visual inspection where you look for warning signs of a flat tire like bubbles, bulging, cracks, or tread that's wearing unevenly. If you spot any of these signs, visit Toyota of Orlando to have our techs inspect things and see what steps need to be taken next. Tip #3: Keep them properly inflated to the correct PSI. When your tires are underinflated, more surface area touches the road. This creates more friction and subsequently, more heat and more wear. This means you're more likely to get a flat! Ensure your tires are inflated to the right PSI, which can be found in your owner's manual. Toyota of Orlando shares tips to help you avoid a flat tire Tip #4: Be careful of where you take your car. Always be aware of where you're driving. Driving around constructions sites is a bad idea because they often have metal, glass, nails, screws, and other sharp objects that can damage your tire lying around. Potholes are another big cause of tire damage, so try to avoid roads that have a lot of them. Tip #6: Sign up for recall alerts via email. Recalls happen, and they happen for a reason - to let you fix the issue before someone gets hurt or something gets damaged. Go to the NHTSA website to sign up for email alerts regarding any recalls on your vehicle or its tires. Tip #7: Don't count on your spare to act as a replacement tire. Your spare is a temporary stop-gap measure meant to get you to your nearest auto service center. They are not meant to travel long distances or at high speeds so replace them with a regular tire as quickly as possible. Don't delay and spend days driving around on one! Ready to shop replacement tires or need help with a flat tire situation? Call Toyota of Orlando today at (407) 298-0001!

Chances are that at some point in your drive time, you've encountered a flat tire. It's a big inconvenience because not only do you have to change it and put on a spare to get anywhere (or wait hours for a tow truck), you also have to shell out money to replace the tire at an auto service center. We get it - it's a big annoyance. And while it's great to know how to change a flat tire, wouldn't it be even more helpful to know how to prevent them in the first place? Toyota of Orlando is here with 7 tips to help you avoid this emergency drive time situation. Tip #1: Don't buy low-quality tires. Low-quality tires are more likely to end up as flats because they're less durable, less reliable, and also have a shorter lifespan. It may hurt a little to shell out for high-quality tires (although our Orlando Toyota service center can get you a great deal on an affordable set), but it'll hurt more if you end up with a flat tire on an important day. Buy quality tires and get what you pay for! Tip #2: Be sure to keep an eye on the condition of your tires. Always monitor the condition of your tires by giving them a quick once-over on a weekly basis. This is just a visual inspection where you look for warning signs of a flat tire like bubbles, bulging, cracks, or tread that's wearing unevenly. If you spot any of these signs, visit Toyota of Orlando to have our techs inspect things and see what steps need to be taken next. Tip #3: Keep them properly inflated to the correct PSI. When your tires are underinflated, more surface area touches the road. This creates more friction and subsequently, more heat and more wear. This means you're more likely to get a flat! Ensure your tires are inflated to the right PSI, which can be found in your owner's manual. Toyota of Orlando shares tips to help you avoid a flat tire Tip #4: Be careful of where you take your car. Always be aware of where you're driving. Driving around constructions sites is a bad idea because they often have metal, glass, nails, screws, and other sharp objects that can damage your tire lying around. Potholes are another big cause of tire damage, so try to avoid roads that have a lot of them. Tip #6: Sign up for recall alerts via email. Recalls happen, and they happen for a reason - to let you fix the issue before someone gets hurt or something gets damaged. Go to the NHTSA website to sign up for email alerts regarding any recalls on your vehicle or its tires. Tip #7: Don't count on your spare to act as a replacement tire. Your spare is a temporary stop-gap measure meant to get you to your nearest auto service center. They are not meant to travel long distances or at high speeds so replace them with a regular tire as quickly as possible. Don't delay and spend days driving around on one! Ready to shop replacement tires or need help with a flat tire situation? Call Toyota of Orlando today at (407) 298-0001!

Traffic is awful. There's no other way to spin it - it's a frustrating situation to be in regardless of where you're headed or what you're doing. Toyota of Orlando is here to help; we have 8 tips to help you keep your cool and retain your sanity when you're hitting the road and it's all taillights (we're looking at you, I-4). Let's get started! Toyota of Orlando's top tips for beating traffic Tip #1: Accept it. Our first Orlando Toyota tip is pretty simple, right? Traffic is awful; we've established this. But it's difficult to do anything about it unless you have an alternate route (and we'll get to that). Control your annoyance and try to accept that you're stuck in traffic and you'll eventually get to where you need to go... but until then, you need to keep your cool. Tip #2: Know your way around or use navigation. Tons of our Orlando Toyota cars come with navigation technology in them, and they can help you find an alternate route to your final destination that may help you save time. Familiarize yourself with that route if it's one that could help speed up your daily commute. It's also smart to check traffic before you leave the house - if it's bad, you know to head straight to your alternate route. Tip #3: Get comfortable. If you know you're going to be heading home in rush hour, be prepared. Make sure you're wearing something relatively comfortable and get your car cool inside before you hit the highway. You might also want to bring snacks and a drink, and be sure to use the bathroom before you get into the driver's seat. Tip #4: Don't think about the traffic. Make playlists with calming music, learn a new language, or invest in an audiobook. Distracting yourself from the situation at hand can help quell your frustration quickly. You can also use the hands-free Bluetooth tools in so many of our Orlando Toyota cars to make a call and catch up with an old friend. Tip #5: Be polite. Driving like a maniac isn't going to make traffic better - in fact, you're really just gearing yourself up to get in a collision and cause even more traffic and delays. Follow the rules of the road and avoid aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating, speeding, weaving in and out of lanes, and cutting people off. Make sure your car is fueled up and ready to hit the road Tip #6: Fuel up beforehand. The last thing you want is to be stuck in a traffic jam watching the gas needle edge closer and closer to empty. Make sure you always have at least 1/4 tank of gas in your car for emergencies. Tip #7: Stay focused. Yes, you should listen to soothing music or a good book to keep your mind off the traffic, but don't forget to keep your eyes on the road and other drivers so you can react BEFORE a collision occurs instead of as it's happening. Tip #8: Plan ahead. Need to get off at the next exit? In heavy traffic, it's best to start getting over sooner rather than later. That way you don't need to cut people off and you don't miss your exit because you just couldn't get to it. Want more tips, or want to check out the convenient technology in so many of our Orlando Toyota cars? Call us today at (407) 298-0001!

Traffic is awful. There's no other way to spin it - it's a frustrating situation to be in regardless of where you're headed or what you're doing. Toyota of Orlando is here to help; we have 8 tips to help you keep your cool and retain your sanity when you're hitting the road and it's all taillights (we're looking at you, I-4). Let's get started! Toyota of Orlando's top tips for beating traffic Tip #1: Accept it. Our first Orlando Toyota tip is pretty simple, right? Traffic is awful; we've established this. But it's difficult to do anything about it unless you have an alternate route (and we'll get to that). Control your annoyance and try to accept that you're stuck in traffic and you'll eventually get to where you need to go... but until then, you need to keep your cool. Tip #2: Know your way around or use navigation. Tons of our Orlando Toyota cars come with navigation technology in them, and they can help you find an alternate route to your final destination that may help you save time. Familiarize yourself with that route if it's one that could help speed up your daily commute. It's also smart to check traffic before you leave the house - if it's bad, you know to head straight to your alternate route. Tip #3: Get comfortable. If you know you're going to be heading home in rush hour, be prepared. Make sure you're wearing something relatively comfortable and get your car cool inside before you hit the highway. You might also want to bring snacks and a drink, and be sure to use the bathroom before you get into the driver's seat. Tip #4: Don't think about the traffic. Make playlists with calming music, learn a new language, or invest in an audiobook. Distracting yourself from the situation at hand can help quell your frustration quickly. You can also use the hands-free Bluetooth tools in so many of our Orlando Toyota cars to make a call and catch up with an old friend. Tip #5: Be polite. Driving like a maniac isn't going to make traffic better - in fact, you're really just gearing yourself up to get in a collision and cause even more traffic and delays. Follow the rules of the road and avoid aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating, speeding, weaving in and out of lanes, and cutting people off. Make sure your car is fueled up and ready to hit the road Tip #6: Fuel up beforehand. The last thing you want is to be stuck in a traffic jam watching the gas needle edge closer and closer to empty. Make sure you always have at least 1/4 tank of gas in your car for emergencies. Tip #7: Stay focused. Yes, you should listen to soothing music or a good book to keep your mind off the traffic, but don't forget to keep your eyes on the road and other drivers so you can react BEFORE a collision occurs instead of as it's happening. Tip #8: Plan ahead. Need to get off at the next exit? In heavy traffic, it's best to start getting over sooner rather than later. That way you don't need to cut people off and you don't miss your exit because you just couldn't get to it. Want more tips, or want to check out the convenient technology in so many of our Orlando Toyota cars? Call us today at (407) 298-0001!