Have you ever been driving down the road, glanced up in your rearview mirror, and noticed that the car behind your Orlando Toyota is just a little too close for comfort? When another driver rides too close to the back of your car, it’s called tailgating. This type of behavior is dangerous and more often than not leads to collisions and accidents. That’s why it’s key to know how to react when you’re in this unsafe situation – check out these safe driving tips for when you’re being tailgated from the experts at Toyota of Orlando.

Five tips for when you’re being tailgated

Tip #1: Don’t freak out. Your first reaction is probably either to get really annoyed or to panic. Try not to do either (easier said than done, we know, but still). You’ll need to keep your cool to get yourself and your Orlando Toyota safely out of the situation. Keep your emotions in check and focus on the next step once you realize you’re being tailgated.

Tip #2: Don’t feel pressured to speed up. You might feel like you have to speed up since the person behind you obviously wants to go faster, but you don’t. If you’re going the speed limit, stick to it – it’s enforced for a reason. Don’t drive over it just to make them happy. It should be noted, however, that it’s considered to be bad form to drive in the left lane and not let people pass, so if you’re in the left lane and being tailgated, it might be time to move over.

Tip #3: Gently brake. The person behind you may not even realize that they’re tailgating or getting too close for comfort, so sometimes a little reminder in the form of brake lights can help. Tap your brakes gently so your brake lights illuminate and make them aware. We know it’s tempting to brake check them – where you slam on your brakes to give them a little scare – but this behavior can actually result in them running into the back of you, so control yourself.

Tip #4: Move over if you can. If you’re on a multi-lane road, try to get out of the tailgater’s way. Use your blinker to indicate your movements to everyone around you, check your blind spot, and slowly make your way out of your lane to let the driver behind your Orlando Toyota pass you. Don’t make any sudden movements or change lanes without using your turn signal – those behaviors increase your chances of a collision.

Tip #5: Don’t confront them. We get it – it’s so annoying when someone is riding your car. But avoid confrontation. Yelling, making rude hand gestures, etc. take your attention off of your own safe driving habits and can also make the other driver angry. Road rage is a real risk and can result in you, the other driver, and the people around you getting hurt, so maintain your cool and get on with your day.

Make safe driving a priority with Toyota of Orlando

Want more safe driving tips for hitting the highway, city streets, and everything in between? Follow us on social media, call us at (407) 298-4500, or stop by and see us in person at 3575 Vineland Road. Toyota of Orlando is just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall!

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It’s the first full week of December and Toyota of Orlando is back with another round of new Toyota news for your Monday. See what’s new with the automaker and also, get ready – the 2022 Toyota Tundra will be here at our Orlando Toyota dealership any day!

Another Toyota news roundup

2022 Toyota Tundra officially in production 

If you didn’t know that an all-new, fully redesigned 2022 Toyota Tundra was headed our way, then we’re sorry and we don’t know where you’ve been for the past like, year and a half. But it is, and the truck is officially in production and ready to hit the road in San Antonio, Texas. This incredible new Orlando Toyota should be arriving at our dealership any day – you can view the inventory online to see what’s coming and schedule an appointment to come in and put yourself in the driver’s seat.

Toyota vows to go fully zero-emissions in Europe by 2035 

Toyota is all about going green – not only did they get the ball rolling with the iconic Toyota Prius back in the 2000s, but they also continue to design and produce green cars that embrace hybrid, electric, and fuel cell tech. And they’re getting serious – the automaker just claimed that by 2035, it’s their goal for all sales to be completely zero emissions in Europe. And there’s good news for us, too. Toyota also stated that by 2030, at least half of their lineup would be available in zero emissions models (electric and fuel cell). So if you want to go green, you’ll have plenty of options. Personally, we can’t wait for the new Toyota bZ4X to get here.

New Arctic Trucks Land Cruiser unveiled 

Everyone knows that the Toyota Land Cruiser is an icon when it comes to off-roading. And everyone was bummed when it was announced that this legendary SUV was being discontinued in the US. However, it’s still being produced overseas, and Arctic Trucks Russia got their hands on the new 300 Series to create a seriously cool concept. This particular Toyota Land Cruiser has redesigned wheel arches, a reinforced suspension system with new dampers and springs, and a wider track… all of which means much better handling on icy or snowy surfaces. We’d drive it.

Another GR Corolla teaser shared by Toyota USA 

Another week of Toyota news, and another GR Corolla teaser. Toyota USA is living their best life on Instagram whipping their fans into a frenzy with sly teasers about the new GR Corolla (which we are POSITIVE is coming soon). This particular shot is of the already-existing Toyota Corolla Hatchback but if you look closely, you’ll notice a camouflaged Corolla prototype hiding in the shadows. You’ll also see that on the red shipping container above the car, there’s lettering – NA (North America) and G16 (a nod to the engine in the current GR Yaris) are both right there. We’re biting – it’s happening.

Get more Toyota news from Toyota of Orlando

Want more Toyota news updates? Call Toyota of Orlando at (407) 298-4500. We’re open seven days a week. You can also swing by and see us! We’re conveniently located at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall!

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Have you ever encountered aggressive driving out on the road? According to a recent AAA survey, over 80% of drivers have shown significant and measurable anger or frustration while in the driver’s seat in the past year. We get it – it can be frustrating to drive sometimes, especially when things that are out of your control interrupt or delay you. Road rage, however, takes things to a whole new level.

Toyota of Orlando explains road rage

Road rage is when a driver is significantly angry when behind the wheel and takes it out on other drivers by tailgating, weaving, cutting people off, brake checking… you get the idea. Basically, it’s when someone is mad and drives like a maniac to express their frustration, even if they’re not specifically mad at you. 

What causes it? Lots of things; sometimes it can be as simple as someone having a bad day. However, the most common causes of road rage are traffic, delays, and running late to something. Another common cause is anonymity; drivers feel that if they won’t see the person they’re cutting off ever again, their bad behavior doesn’t matter. Sometimes aggressive driving is a learned behavior, and every now and then you just get those people who have no regard for others (or the law).

Regardless of what causes it, road rage can be exceptionally dangerous to everyone on the road and can quickly cause car accidents. It includes behaviors like:

• Speeding
• Cutting cars off
• Tailgating
• Swerving or weaving in and out of lanes
• Preventing other cars from changing lanes or turning
• Honking, screaming, and making rude gestures
• Confronting another driver outside of the car
• Bumping or hitting another vehicle on purpose

So, what should you do when you’re confronted by another driver with road rage? Here are our Orlando Toyota tips:

• Do not engage. When another driver is displaying road rage behaviors toward you, don’t engage. Don’t try to brake check them, yell back, speed up to make eye contact… it’s a bad idea in general. Not only does it take your attention off of the road, it also can fuel their fire and make them even angrier. Why put yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle at risk? Don’t engage.
• Keep an eye on the situation. Watch your back when you’ve encountered an aggressive driver. You want to ensure they’re not following you to try and force a confrontation when you do come to a stop.
• Get as far away as you can. When you notice a driver behaving recklessly, try to move out of their path. Change lanes, slow down or speed up to put distance between your cars, or worst case, get off the road and pull into a parking lot to get away from them.
• Don’t stop. If a driver with road rage is indicating that they want you to stop your Orlando Toyota, DON’T. You’re putting yourself and your passengers in danger if you do.

Get more tips at Toyota of Orlando

Need more tips for dealing with road rage, or need auto repairs after an accident? Call Toyota of Orlando! We’re open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500. Our Orlando Toyota dealership is conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road.

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When it comes to trucks, the Toyota world has been abuzz. The newly redesigned 2022 Toyota Tundra is arriving at dealerships as we speak and yesterday, Toyota unveiled two new EV truck concepts that have people talking. Toyota of Orlando is here with the details.

Are new electric Toyotas coming?

We all know that Toyota is gearing up to add more electric and hybrid cars to its lineup; the company is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and offering customers more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly options. That’s why our Orlando Toyota dealership wasn’t overly shocked when they unveiled two new EV concept trucks this week at a Battery EV Strategies meeting – a Tacoma EV and a Compact Cruiser EV (which is extremely reminiscent of the now-retired Toyota FJ Cruiser).

The new Toyota Tacoma is due for a redesign and rumor has it that next year is the year. And given that the Toyota Tundra was given a complete overhaul under the hood and now offers a hybrid drivetrain option, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Toyota introduce a hybrid or electric option for the next generation of the Orlando Toyota Tacoma. From what we can tell, it would be a midsize truck (or sit somewhere in between the current Toyota Tacoma and new Toyota Tundra). Additionally, the concept that came out looks similar to the newly redesigned Tundra in many ways – honestly, you could just replace the grille with something a little more traditional and roll this truck right off of the assembly line. And offering an electric option wouldn’t affect performance; after all, electric cars offer instant horsepower and torque.

The Compact Cruiser, on the other hand, is a major callback to the iconic Toyota FJ Cruiser that was retired circa 2013. It also looks a bit like the FT-4X concept that came out in 2017. This sporty concept would offer some stiff competition to the new Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler if it did come out, offering both horsepower and torque as well as an eco-friendly performance and enhanced fuel efficiency. This one seems a little less likely than the new Toyota Tacoma offering an electric option, but since the Toyota Land Cruiser was retired, there is a hole in Toyota’s off-roading lineup, it is plausible. We’ve been hearing rumors that Toyota wants to fill said spot and also compete with the popular new Ford Bronco, so fingers crossed, off-roaders.

Get the latest Toyota news from Toyota of Orlando

Only time will tell whether or not these two EV concepts will make it to production, but we’ll keep you posted (and you can follow us on social media for regular updates). To see the new 2022 Toyota Tundra in person or to test drive any of our hybrid cars and SUVs, call Toyota of Orlando today at (407) 298-4500 or stop by and see us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.

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Christmas Eve is a week away (how did that happen so fast?). That means it’s time to deck the halls – past time, really – and if you haven’t already brought home a Christmas tree, now would be the time to do it. However, it’s not like picking up the groceries; to get your tree home safely and in good condition, there are a few tips you should know. And luckily, your favorite Orlando Toyota dealership is here to explain them.

Six tips to transport a Christmas tree

Tip #1: Plan ahead. Before you go all Buddy the Elf, make sure you know how you’re going to get your tree home. Do you have a truck with a bed to use, or will you attach it to the roof of your car? Planning ahead will save you time, stress, and money when it’s time to transport your Christmas tree.

Tip #2: Keep an eye on the weather. Make sure the weather is good when you pick a day to transport your Christmas tree. It won’t hurt it to drive it through the rain, but it’ll definitely leave it wet and you’ll have to try and dry it out before you can bring it inside of the house. And driving a Christmas tree through high winds is never a good idea, FYI.

Tip #3: Make sure the tree is somehow wrapped. Most Christmas trees will be wrapped up in netting so you can easily get it home in one piece (make sure you cut that netting up after you’re done with it, too #savethewildlife). However, it’s always smart to have a big blanket on hand just in case you aren’t provided with netting. You can roll the tree up in the blanket to protect both the tree itself and the bed or top of your Orlando Toyota from scratches and sap.

Tip #4: Use those roof racks. Do you have roof racks on your Orlando Toyota? If so, put them to use and attach your Christmas tree to them to make it simple to get home. If you don’t, you’re going to have to tie the tree directly to the roof of your car. Open the car doors and loop your rope or twine through that way to get a firm tie-down (and also so you don’t tie the doors shut LOL). You’ll want to tie down the tree at three points – the top, middle, and bottom. And make sure you have the trunk of the tree at the front of your car – this will help prevent wind damage to the tree’s branches as you drive.

Tip #5: If you’re using the bed of a truck, secure the tree. If you’re lucky enough to have a Toyota of Orlando truck at your disposal, you can simply place the tree in the bed of it. However, you should still use the tie-down points to secure it down to the bed just in case a gust of wind catches it on the way home.

Tip #6: Take your time. Drive slow, especially if your Christmas tree is on the roof. Don’t speed and be sure to take turns slowly and avoid slamming on the brakes.

Merry Christmas from Toyota of Orlando!

Questions? Need supplies to transport a Christmas tree? Toyota of Orlando is your go-to. Call us today at (407) 298-4500 or stop by and see us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall!

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Are you hitting the road this weekend? Christmas is just a few days away, and while your commute to work this week might be easier than usual (no school, fewer people at work) things are about to pick up. Tons of people hit the road on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to visit friends and family, attend parties, get in last-minute shopping, and more. This means more traffic, a higher chance of accidents, and more stress on your plate… unless you follow these useful tips from Toyota of Orlando for driving in Christmas traffic!

Five tips for driving in traffic this Christmas weekend

Tip #1: Leave plenty of extra time. We all know that traffic is going to be nuts, especially on Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas. Make sure that wherever you’re going, you leave yourself plenty of time to get there. You know you’ll be driving in traffic due to more people on the road and also a much higher chance of fender benders. Give yourself cushion when it comes to time so you aren’t speeding or driving aggressively to get where you’re going on time.

Tip #2: Make sure your ride is ready for the road. Is your Orlando Toyota ready to hit the road this weekend? If you’re heading out of town to visit friends and family, you need to ensure that your car is up to date on auto services like oil changes, tire rotations, brake service, and battery service. The last thing you want to do is have a breakdown when you’re trying to get to your celebration.

Tip #3: Check the weather and traffic. Make sure to check the weather and traffic BEFORE you leave the house. Bad weather and heavy traffic can cause delays, so if you know about them ahead of time, you can either reroute your trip or give yourself more time to get to your destination. Plus, it’ll mentally prepare you for the road conditions so you’re not stressing as much about it.

Tip #4: Don’t let distracted driving get the best of you. It’s easy to get distracted any time you’re behind the wheel, but especially so on Christmas. Excited kids in the backseat, people calling and texting you, Christmas lights, finding the right Christmas music on your Spotify… we get it, but distracted driving is one of the biggest causes of accidents. Use voice-to-text to reply to messages, make a Christmas playlist before you leave the house, and keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.

Tip #5: If necessary, prep for winter weather. If you’re heading north, make sure that both you and your car are prepped and ready for winter weather. You’ll want to check your fluids, tires, heater, and defroster to ensure they’re in good condition, and then mentally prepare yourself for driving on in snow and ice.

Prep your car for driving in traffic at Toyota of Orlando

From our family to yours, safe travels and Merry Christmas! If you need last-minute auto service to get ready for driving in traffic on the holiday, visit Toyota of Orlando today. We’re open seven days a week at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall, and you can reach us at (407) 298-0001.

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