Tips for spotting irregular car tire wear
Your car tires play a crucial role when it comes to your Orlando Toyota’s performance. They’re what meets the road, after all, and if they’re not in good condition then your performance as a whole (and possibly even your safety) will suffer. Toyota of Orlando is here to help! Some of the most common car tire problems we see stem from irregular wear, and we’re here to help you spot these problematic wear patterns before they do a number on your car. Check it out.

The 6 most common types of car tire wear
Type 1: Center wear
Center wear is when the center of your tire has excessive wear, more than the sides of the tire. This is typically caused by overinflation of the tire. The PSI is too high and this causes your tire to bulge and in turn, wear unevenly. Our Orlando Toyota service techs can check your PSI levels to ensure your tires get to where they need to be.
Type 2: Side wear
On the other hand, if your tires aren’t inflated enough and your PSI is too low, you’ll notice side where. This is where the sides of the tires wear faster than the center. This also reduces fuel efficiency and could even signify an issue with your alignment, so let our Orlando auto service techs take a look.
Type 3: Sidewall wear
The sidewall of your car tires doesn’t even touch the road, but it can still have uneven wear. This is usually caused by rubbing curbs or other structures as you try to park, especially if you’re parallel parking. Sidewall damage puts you at high risk of a tire blowout so don’t ignore this type of wear and bring your car to Toyota of Orlando ASAP.
Type 4: Feathering
Feathering actually can’t be see by the eye, but this type of car tire wear can definitely be felt. It feels like spiky or sharp edges when you run your hand along the tire and is usually caused by alignment issues or overly aggressive driving.
Type 5: Cupping
Cupping happens when your car tires are actually bouncing on the road. This results in small, cuplike divots in your tires that can cause problems over time. If your tires are bouncing, it’s likely due to issues with your car’s suspension or shocks, so it’s worth looking into.
Type 6: Flat spots
You’ll be able to both feel flat spots when you’re driving and see them when you’re not. These spots usually develop on your car tires because you’re braking too aggressively. If you notice these areas on your tires, bring your car to Toyota of Orlando so we can help you remedy the problem.
Let Toyota of Orlando fix all of your tire issues today
Have questions? Find out the answers you need at Toyota of Orlando. We’re open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500 and you can also stop by and see us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall. We’re ready and waiting!
Eight tips for beginner drivers
Whether you’re a teen driver about to hit the road for the first time or just someone who’s never had the opportunity to get behind the wheel, learning to drive can be intimidating. It doesn’t have to be hard, though, and our Orlando Toyota dealership is here with 8 quick driving tips to help you tackle the task with as little stress as possible.

8 driving tips to help beginners hit the road
Tip #1: Learn to feel where your tires are. Do you know how to feel where your tires are? This will help you avoid hitting curbs when you’re parking and potholes and road debris when you’re out on the road. Practice feeling where they are by putting a plastic bottle on the ground and driving and backing over it – roll down your window so you can hear it.
Tip #2: Always adjust your mirrors before you drive. You should always adjust your mirrors BEFORE you leave the driveway. Make sure you can’t see the side of your car in your side mirrors so you can see your blind spots, and make sure you can see out of the back window of your Orlando Toyota entirely when using your rearview mirror.
Tip #3: When you’re in traffic, watch the taller vehicles. If you’re in traffic, watch the taller vehicles in front of you to see how they’re maneuvering. This will help you better navigate the road, turns, and stop-and-go driving.
Tip #4: Use the night mode on your rearview mirror. Did you know there’s a night mode on your rearview mirror? Pull the lever on the bottom of the mirror at night so headlights behind you won’t blind you.
Tip #5: Use your A/C, even in the winter. Pro driving tip – turn on your air conditioner regularly. This will help ensure that it stays in good shape all year long and always works when you need it.
Tip #6: If you see someone in the lane next to you slowing down, you should slow down too. This can indicate a speed trap or that they’re letting a pedestrian cross the road.
Tip #7: Don’t drive through water of any kind quickly. If you can’t go around a puddle and have to drive through it, go slowly. You never know how deep water is and you don’t want to flood your car or ruin your electrical system. Go slowly so if need be, you can back out before any damage is done to your Orlando Toyota.
Tip #8: Use your parking brake. Not many people use this part of their car unless they’re parked on a hill, but you should actually use your parking brake all the time. It helps take some of the strain off of your normal brakes and can save you money in the long run.
Call us for more driving tips today!
Have questions? Need more beginner’s driving tips? We’ve always got your back at Toyota of Orlando. Call us at (407) 298-4500 or swing by 3575 Vineland Road just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall.
Signs you need to replace your car headlights
Your car headlights play an integral part in your car’s performance, especially when you’re driving in inclement weather (like rain or snow) and at night. They allow you to have visibility of your surroundings and also allow other drivers and pedestrians to see you on the road, so it’s critical that they’re working at all times. However, just like any other part they do wear out over time and need to be restored and have bulbs replaced. Toyota of Orlando’s service team is here to share 4 signs you’ve got car headlight issues and need to pay our Toyota service center a visit.

4 signs you need headlight service at Toyota of Orlando
Sign #1: Your low beams work, but your high beams don’t.
Can you turn on your headlights like you usually would but when it’s time to use the high beams, you get no response from them? You may have a burnt out bulb, so try replacing that first. If that doesn’t do the trick, you might have blown a fuse or have an issue with wiring. Have our Orlando auto service team take a look at it to troubleshoot.
Sign #2: Your headlights seem dimmer than usual.
You know how your car headlights should look and if they seem dimmer than usual, it’s typically indicative of one of two problems. Your headlight bulb may be on its way out (which is an easy fix – just replace it) or you may have a corroded or damaged ground wire. If replacing the bulb doesn’t fix the issues, schedule an appointment at Toyota of Orlando.
Sign #3: The light coming from them is flickering.
Is the light coming from your car headlights flickering and uneven? If so, it could mean your bulbs are going bad (remember, they wear out over time). Flickering means they’re very close to not working at all. If the bulbs aren’t the culprit, you could have issues with a problematic battery connection or even a bad harness. In these cases, it’s best to let the experts take a look.
Sign #4: You keep blowing fuses.
If your headlights keep giving out on you and you find burnt out fuses under the hood constantly, you might have a larger wiring or electrical problem on your hands. Our Orlando Toyota car care team can help you pinpoint and repair the issue.
Don’t drive with burnt out lights or broken lenses
Remember, we’re here to help with everything from a simple bulb replacement to overall headlight restoration to replacing a smashed headlight (taping it up won’t work long term, just FYI). It’s illegal to drive without two working headlights and you can find yourself with a hefty ticket to pay if you get pulled over. Let us help you avoid the issue and fix all of your lighting issues at our Toyota service center and Toyota collision center today.
Give us a call – we’re here seven days a week with the longest service hours in Central Florida at (407) 298-0001! You can also stop by to see us and ask all of your lighting questions at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall.
Thinking about taking on a classic Toyota car restoration as your next project? You’re not the only one – this popular passion project is becoming more and more common as owners restore classic Toyotas to their former glory. However, undertaking a car restoration of any make or model is a major project and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Before you jump in, you should ensure that you’re prepared for what’s to come. Toyota of Orlando is here to help – our experts in the Parts Department have created a list of three questions you should ask yourself before restoring a classic Toyota car (and they also can help you find the right parts for your project, too!).

Ask yourself these questions before you start a car restoration project
Question #1: What am I going to do with the car when I’m done with it?
What are you going to do with the classic Toyota car you’ve restored when all is said and done? If you’re going to sell it, you obviously want to make a profit on it. You should set a budget and a selling price to ensure you don’t spend more on the restoration than you’ll get when you sell. If you’re going to keep the classic Toyota for yourself, think about how often you’re going to drive it. If you’re going to use it as a weekend car, you can pretty much keep things the way they are. However, if it’s going to be an everyday vehicle, you may want to upgrade certain parts for your own safety, comfort, convenience, and efficiency.
Question #2: What kind of shape is the car presently in?
Take a good long look at the current shape of the classic Toyota car you want to restore. What kind of shape is it in? If you’re dealing with a seriously rusted vehicle or one that’s missing key components like an engine or chassic, then you’re going to be able to take it home for cheap but will likely spend a good deal on the restoration part of the process. On the other hand, if you buy a classic Toyota that just needs a little TLC to restore it, then you’ll pay more up front but then not have to spend as much money on parts and labor to get it up and running.
Question #3: What kinds of parts will I need to acquire to finish things?
Make a list of the car parts you’ll need for this project and if you’re not going to DIY the process, factor in labor, too. It can get pricey to restore a classic car and you want to ensure that if you have a budget, you’re sticking close to it. And don’t forget that the rarer the car, the harder it can be to find the parts, and the more expensive the parts tend to be.

Let Toyota of Orlando help you through the restoration process!
The basic thing to keep in mind is that restoring any classic car isn’t a quick process. It takes time, money, and hard work (or a really trusted mechanic). If you’re ready to get the process rolling today, call us! Toyota of Orlando is here to help you along the way. You can reach us seven days a week at (407) 298-4500 or stop by 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall.
Off-roading car care: What to do after you get home
If you’re one for finding off-road adventure in your Orlando Toyota, you know just how dirty things can get before you make it back to the pavement. You probably also know that detailing a vehicle after an off-roading expedition is a lot different than detailing a vehicle that you drive on the pavement. There are particular car care steps you should take after returning from an off-road trip and our Orlando auto service specialists are laying them all out for you. Read on!

Car care for your off-roading vehicle: What you should know
Don’t forget – you should never let mud just sit on your vehicle. It’s tempting to leave it until you have more free time to detail your vehicle, but letting the mud sit actually makes it more difficult to clean. Try to take care of car care as soon as (or soon after) you arrive back in civilization.
Step #1: Pressure wash your vehicle before scrubbing it.
Before you get to work with soap and a sponge, pressure wash your vehicle. Not only will this make the mud come off more quickly (especially if it’s had time to dry), it’ll also ensure that you get rid of any leftover sand particles that might be clinging to the paint. If you try to scrub your vehicle and sand particles are still on it, you can end up with unsightly swirls and scratches in the paint.
Step 2: Wash your vehicle with the right type of products.
Once you’re sand-free, get to work with the soap and sponge… but make sure you’re using the right soap. Dish soap can actually do damage to your car’s paint so ensure you’re using a product formulated for your Orlando Toyota – you can always shop our Toyota parts store or ask our specialists for advice.
Step #3: Apply a coat of quality wax.
It’s always a smart idea to apply wax to your car – it protects the paint from moisture, damaging UV rays, and small scratches. It also makes it that much easier to wash your car the next time around, especially if you’re going off-roading and know you’re going to have mud on the body. Wash your car, dry it, and then apply wax. You can also ask our parts specialists which one is best for your car.
Step #4: Wash the undercarriage.
The undercarriage of your vehicle is likely to get the worst of the mud so it’s critical that you clean it thoroughly every time you go off-roading. Here’s a life hack for you – buy a cheap, rotating sprinkler head and hook it up to your hose. Slide it under your car and turn the water on – you can walk away for 15-20 minutes and let it do a majority of the work for you! Then you can take care of the remainder with the hose a lot more quickly and efficiently.
Step #5: Clean the brakes and suspension components.
Don’t forget to clean your brakes and suspension components so they’re free of mud and dust when you return home from your off-road adventure. Dirt and sand can actually damage these parts over time, costing you money in service and repairs and also impairing their functionality.
Shop Toyota of Orlando for all of your car care supplies
Need to shop for car care supplies? Toyota of Orlando has got you covered. Call us today at (407) 298-0001!
What to do if your car gets stuck in a ditch
Even if you use your best defensive driving skills and are exceptionally careful every time you get behind the wheel, accidents can still happen. Whether it’s another driver being reckless or bad weather creating dangerous conditions on the road, you may eventually find yourself in the situation where you lose control of your vehicle and find yourself sliding off the road. And if you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a ditch, you know how frustrating and difficult it can be to get yourself out. Our Orlando Toyota team is here with safe driving tips to help.

Safe driving tips: 4 steps to take if you get stuck in a ditch
Step #1: Before you do anything, make sure that both you and your passengers are uninjured. If anyone has sustained injuries, it’s best to call for help right then and there so professionals can assess their condition before you try to move anyone.
Step #2: Turn on your hazards. This will alert other drivers to your whereabouts and also help any emergency vehicles or tow trucks that you may have called find your car. If you’re close to the road, call for assistance to get your car out of the ditch quickly so you can avoid an accident or collision with another vehicle passing by.
Step #3: If the ditch is dry and your car is simply stuck, you can try lightening the load to free it. Remove anything that’s excess weight – passengers, stuff in the backseat and trunk, etc. – and then try to accelerate enough to get out of the ditch. Don’t slam on the gas; this can cause you to just spin your wheels and dig yourself into a hole. Instead, gently press the gas to see if the lightened load can make the difference.
If you’re stuck in mud, water, or snow, the excess weight in your car can actually work in your favor – it can help you gain traction. In this case, simple acceleration probably won’t get you out of the ditch. You’ll need extra traction, whether it’s gravel, kitty litter, flattened cardboard under the tires, or even your floor mats. If your Orlando Toyota is front-wheel drive, put the traction device in front of your front tires. If it’s rear-wheel drive, put the traction device behind your rear tires.
Step #4: Still stuck? It’s time to call in the professionals. Unless you know how to properly use a winch and pull a vehicle out safely, you shouldn’t attempt to DIY this one. You can do serious damage to your car’s frame (we’re talking thousands of dollars worth) or damage your bumpers if you make a mistake. Call a towing service to pull you out of the ditch and consider bringing your car to our Orlando auto service center to have it checked before you take to the open road again. You never know if something was damaged in your accident, and it’s best to have the experts take a quick look before you drive again.
Get more safe driving tips from Toyota of Orlando today
Have questions about safe driving or need assistance after an accident? Toyota of Orlando is here for you. Call us at (407) 298-4500 for more information or stop by and see us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from Millenia Mall.
Everything you need to know about speed limits
Have you ever gotten pulled over for going over the speed limit when driving? It happens (to many of us) and can result in a warning if you’re lucky and a ticket if you’re not. What about under the speed limit – have you ever been pulled over for driving too slowly? Believe it or not, that can actually happen, too. Speed limits are real, backed by both science and law, and are enforced with the threat of tickets, license suspensions, and even jail time. They’re also in place to keep both you and other drivers safe when you hit the road. It’s important to understand them before you get behind the wheel, and that’s where Toyota of Orlando comes in!

Toyota of Orlando explains how speed limits come to exist
First, let’s talk about what speed limits are and how they’re determined by the folks in charge. Basically, a speed limit is just what it sounds like – it’s a limit to how fast you can drive in that particular area. They’re determined by infrastructural engineers and they have to consider quite a few factors before they can decide what the safest speed is for that stretch of road. After the roads are blueprinted, planned, and surveyed out, the engineers step in to discuss and plan around elements like:
- The road itself and if it’s straight or winding, has any hills or elevation changes, and what type of physical condition it’s in overall
- How much pedestrian traffic there is around the road – for instance, speed limits are a lot lower in urban areas like downtown Orlando and around schools because of the increased foot traffic
- How much housing is around the road and how far back it is from the street
As you can see, a lot of careful consideration and planning goes into deciding the speed limit in the end. That’s why it’s so critical that you abide by them when you’re behind the wheel of your Orlando Toyota – they’re there for big and important reasons.
And just like your car has safety elements built into it like seatbelts, anti-lock brakes, and windshield wipers, speed limits exist to keep you and your passengers safe. You’ll find that speed limits tend to be lower in areas that are urban or suburban, as these roads tend to see more housing alongside them and more pedestrian traffic around them. Slower speed limits mean you have more time to come to a quick or sudden stop if you need to. Slower speeds also mean less damage if you do get into an accident or collision.
On the other hand, Orlando highways like the 408 tend to see higher speed limits. There’s not any housing surrounding a highway and it’s rare to see foot traffic. There are also no stop signs or stoplights on highways, so it’s easy to maintain a steady speed and thus, a steady flow of traffic.
Our Orlando Toyota tips for safe speed
In closing, follow the speed limit. It makes you a responsible driver and can even save you money; driving slower means better fuel efficiency and less spare change spent at the pump. Just make sure you’re not driving TOO slowly to where you’re impeding traffic or making the likelihood of an accident go up. Our recommendation? Go the speed limit and allow yourself a little leeway – driving 5 mph over or under is usually acceptable as long as you’re paying close attention to your surroundings.
Have more questions about driving safety? Call Toyota of Orlando today. We’re open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500.
What is an electric car and how does it work?
With gas prices rising and a daily commute becoming more common again, chances are that getting some sort of alternative fuel vehicle has crossed your mind. We get it – paying for gas is annoying (especially right now) and electric cars also have the benefit of being extremely eco-friendly. However, what is an electric car and how will it benefit your drive time? Toyota of Orlando is here to explain exactly what electric vehicles are and how they work.
What you need to know about electric cars
First, let’s talk about what electric cars are. Essentially, they’re exactly what they sound like. All-electric cars run solely on electricity that’s stored in a battery; to keep them up and running, you have to plug the car into a special electrical outlet and let it charge. Here are a few more points to keep in mind:
- These cars don’t use gasoline at all. They run solely on an electric charge, which makes them different from Orlando Toyota hybrids and hybrid plug-ins. Hybrid and hybrid plug-in cars can both run on electric charge, but not for long periods of time or at high speeds. In those scenarios, they rely on a gasoline engine to power them. Electric cars never “swap off” and rely solely on their battery charge to keep them moving.
- Electric cars also require a lot less maintenance than traditional gasoline-powered cars or even hybrids. This is because they don’t use oil, so you won’t ever need oil changes. They also don’t require transmission fluid or power steering fluid. Things stay a lot cleaner under the hood so maintenance is simpler. All you’ll really need to do is get routine tire rotations and keep an eye on things like your brakes, battery, and coolant here at our Orlando auto service center.
- Electric cars may seem like a new fad, but trust us – they’re not a fad and they’ve been around a lot longer than you think. These eco-friendly cars have actually existed since 1881 but didn’t gain popularity or reputation until the 1990s. This is when – believe it or not – Toyota actually put out a Toyota RAV4 EV, which was completely powered by electricity. (And it was a collaboration with Tesla!) However, this rookie EV topped out at a speed of 78 mph and could only travel around 100 miles on a charge, making it impractical for everyday drivers.
- Since then, however, electric cars have come a LONG way. We’re all familiar with Tesla, of course, as they’ve been a frontrunner in the EV movement. However, Toyota has had electric options
in the works since the Toyota RAV4 EV and one is arriving this summer – the all-new Toyota bz4X.

And there are tons of benefits to driving an electric car. Here are a few to consider:
- Less car maintenance – remember, no oil changes or fluids except for the coolant, so you won’t be coming into Toyota of Orlando as often for car care.
- NO GAS. We repeat – NO GAS. You won’t have to stop and fill up at the pump; you just need to charge your car according to the range you have left, either at home or at a charging station. Electricity isn’t free, of course, but it’s far cheaper than filling your car up with gas.
- Top technology. Not only will you have the best tech possible under the hood, but you’ll also have it in the cabin. The new bz4X, for example, features highlights like cloud-based navigation, Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, and a digital key with remote start.
- Rebates. You might also be eligible for state and local rebates for driving such a clean car. This means money in your pocket.
- Instant torque. Electric cars can be FAST – you have instant torque at your fingertips, which means serious get-up-and-go.
Toyota of Orlando has answers to your electric car questions
Have questions about electric cars, hybrids, or anything in between? Toyota of Orlando has answers. Call us today! Our Orlando Toyota dealership is open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500. You can also follow us on social media for more updates about the upcoming arrival of the all-new Toyota bz4X!
What in the world is the Moose Test?
When you get behind the wheel of an Orlando Toyota, you know that you’re in safe hands. Toyota does extensive safety testing for each and every one of its vehicles and on top of that, it’s always conducting new research to create, design, and implement new safety technologies. In fact, Toyota even has a facility devoted entirely to safety research in Ann Arbor, Michigan – the Toyota Collaborative Safety Research Center. This institution spends countless hours researching, testing, and designing different features and technologies to keep you and your loved ones safe when you’re behind the wheel. On top of that, all Toyotas undergo stringent testing for safety before they hit the road. Both the IIHS and NHTSA assign ratings to each vehicle to ensure it’s meeting the standards it should for the safest performance possible.

What exactly is the Moose Test?
However, one safety test that you may not have heard of yet is the Moose Test. This unique test isn’t very commonly known and we’re here to give you the details.
All of our Orlando Toyotas undergo testing for crashing and rollovers to see how they’ll fare in those instances. The Moose Test, however, tests just how well your vehicle would fare if a large animal (like a moose) were to wander into the roadway as you’re driving. Here are a few things to know about the Moose Test:
- It’s most commonly used in Sweden and it actually originates from there, having been created and put into use in the 1970s. (Apparently, they see a lot of wandering moose.)
- Researchers set up an s-shaped pattern of orange cones on the road with a sudden left turn and a straight-away bookending the segment.
- The test is designed to simulate an object suddenly crossing into your Orlando Toyota’s path and obstructing the way forward. To avoid a collision, the driver has to swerve out of the way of the object and then regain control of their car to continue driving in a straight line.
- The vehicles in this test typically travel at 40-50 mph.
The test isn’t easy – a lot of vehicles don’t pass it on the first go, leading automakers to reconsider the design and implementation of their safety systems, features, and technologies. However, the test is really only performed in Sweden – it’s not often in North America that you’ll have a moose pass in front of you on the open road.
And don’t forget, some of the responsibility in this test AND in real-life situation lies with the driver. It’s critical that whenever you’re behind the wheel you’re focused on driving and driving alone. This means no distractions, no taking your hands off the wheel, and no taking your eyes off the road. It also means implementing your best defensive driving skills so you can react to a situation BEFORE an accident occurs, rather than reacting to an accident as it’s happening.
Have questions about Toyota safety features or the Moose Test? Toyota of Orlando – as always – has answers. Visit us at 3575 Vineland Road or call us at (407) 298-4500 today!
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… except the snow part. We don’t see much winter precipitation in the City Beautiful except for rain so driving in the snow isn’t really a big concern for us. However, if you’re headed out of town on a road trip to celebrate with family and friends or take a vacation, you might find yourself in more challenging driving conditions. This means not only should you be ready for driving in the snow, but you should also ensure your car is ready for driving in the snow. Here are some car care appointments you’ll want to make to get it prepped.

Five car care items to check off your list before driving in the snow
#1: Tires: Before you attempt driving in the snow, you should ensure that your tires are in the BEST condition possible. If they’re underinflated or the tread is too low, they won’t be able to grip the slick surfaces you’ll be driving on. Have our Orlando auto service techs inspect them for general condition, tread depth, and inflation level before you hit the road. If your tread is too low for safe driving, ensure that you replace your tires before you take off.
#2: Brakes: When the road is slippery, you want as much stopping power as you can get. After all, you may have to come to a sudden stop to avoid an accident or collision. Our Orlando Toyota service techs will inspect your car’s brake system, including your brake pads and brake fluid, and replace or repair anything that would prevent you from bringing your ride to a halt.
#3: Headlights: You’ll want to use your headlights when driving in the snow, especially if snow is actively falling. This helps make you more visible to other drivers on the road. On top of that, winter means shorter days and longer nights. Be ready to turn on your headlights as soon as dusk falls and leave them on until dawn.
#4: Wipers: You’ll definitely want to use your windshield wipers when driving in winter weather. Whether you’re facing rain, sleet, or snow, your wipers will keep your windshield clear so you have a full view of everything around you (so you can better avoid an accident).
#5: Heater/defroster: Don’t forget to test out your heater and defroster before you take off. You’ll want a working heater for comfort reasons, and you’ll want a working defroster to ensure that you can see better out of your front and rear windows. If you have issues with them, bring them to Toyota of Orlando’s service center to let our techs get them working again.
And don’t forget about your battery. It’s a good idea to have our techs give it a quick once-over before you leave because cold temperatures can have a negative effect on it if it’s not in the best shape.
Get winter auto service handled at Toyota of Orlando
Ready to tackle driving in the snow? Prep your car for the holidays at Toyota of Orlando. We’re open seven days a week at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall. Call us to schedule your auto service at (407) 298-4500!

