Why might you find ants in your car?

Ants find their way into your car because they deem it a viable source of food or water. They build nests, sure, but once their home base is established ants tend to forage for food and water to bring back, finding the necessities by scent. Once they’ve found food or water in your car, it’s a free-for-all. And even worse, they leave scent trails so other ants know where to get the goods and can also invade your vehicle. This problem can quickly get out of hand, so as soon as you notice ants in your car it’s important to act fast. If left unchecked, ants can chew through wood, foam, insulation, and worst of all, wires. Plus, they can bite you and your passengers.

Tip #1: Clean your car from top to bottom. The first step to take when you notice ants in your car is to give your car a thorough detailing. Take out all trash, food, empty bottles, etc. and vacuum the interior. Wipe down all surfaces, clean the glass, and be sure to check in places like under the seats, in the seat cracks, under car seats, underneath floor mats, and in storage areas like the trunk, glovebox, and center console. Make sure your car is crumb-free and has nothing in it that may be deemed delicious by ants.

Tip #2: Try DIY remedies. You can try at-home remedies at first if you’re not overly keen on the idea of putting professional ant-killing products in your car. Some people swear by Dawn soap – mix two cups of warm water, three tablespoons of salt, and three tablespoons of soap in a spray bottle and spray down the ants.

Ants also hate citrus (like spiders and other insects). Use a citrus-based cleaner when cleaning your car to deter them from wanting to hang out in there. You can also add orange oil to the above-mentioned Dawn soap mixture for an extra-potent extermination tool.

Tip #3: Spring for ant spray and traps. If DIY remedies just won’t cut it, it’s time to break out the big guns. Hit Home Depot or Lowe’s and look for ant-killing spray and ant bait or traps to leave in the car. Spray will kill the ones you see immediately, while bait/traps will take care of the ones that are hiding. Just be sure to be careful with what you’re using, especially if you have kids or pets in the car.

Tip #4: Change your parking spot. It’s also a good idea to switch up where you park – this will confuse the ants and they won’t be able to follow their scent trails to your vehicle anymore.

Tip #5: Look for nests. If you see ant nests in your driveway or yard, get rid of them. This will destroy the home base and encourage the ants to get out of town and head elsewhere.

Visit Toyota of Orlando for help with an ant infestation

Need help with an ant infestation? Call Toyota of Orlando’s auto service center. Our techs are here seven days a week to give you a hand! Toyota of Orlando is located at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall and you can reach us at (407) 298-0001.

The post Ants in your car? Here’s how to get rid of them. appeared first on Toyota of Orlando.

Option #1: Trade it in or sell it to us. We’re always looking for preowned cars to stock our used lot, and we’ll add yours to our inventory whether you want to trade it in or just sell it to us. Our used cars director will appraise your vehicle and make you a cash offer on the spot regardless of whether you plan to buy your new car from us or someone else. This is a quick and easy way to get your money’s worth, and you can schedule an appointment with us to save time and at least just get the offer so you can better weigh your options.

Option #2: Sell it privately. You can also sell your car privately. This gives you a little more control over the process and lets you dictate the price, but keep in mind that you have to do all the legwork when you sell privately. You’re going to be the one transferring the title and tag and doing all of the associated paperwork (instead of us), so make sure it’s worth your while before you take this route.

Option #3: Sell it online. Selling your old car online is another option. This is sort of like trading in at a dealership but instead, using an online service that will come to pick your car up from your house. The only downside? You can’t haggle the offer in person – what you get is what you get with no room for improvement.

Option #4: Donate it. Another option is donation. If you don’t really need the money or don’t feel it’s worth the time or effort to trade in or sell your car, you can definitely hand over the keys for free. Plenty of local non-profits take old cars as donations and not only can you feel good about your decision, but you can also write it off as a tax benefit to save yourself a bit of money. Typically, the IRS will allow you to write off whatever the car would sell for if sold at auction. Defer to your accountant with questions!

Option #5: Junk it. Finally, you can always junk your old car if you’re completely done with it and it’s not safe or able to be donated. In this scenario, you’d need to find a junkyard or junk removal service to tow it away and dispose of it for you. You won’t get any money for it, but at least it’ll be off your plate.

Have questions or want to schedule a trade-in appraisal? Call Toyota of Orlando today! We’re open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500 and conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road.

The post How to get rid of your old car: Toyota of Orlando tips appeared first on Toyota of Orlando.

What you should consider before adding a car spoiler

#1: You need to do the right research. You can’t just buy any car spoiler and stick it on your car – you run the risk of it looking ridiculous. Certain spoilers look good with certain vehicles, so do your research. And don’t just rely on pictures. Remember, they’re taken at certain angles and with particular lighting. Try to find the car spoiler you want in real life and look at it on a car that’s similar to yours to get the best idea of how it’ll look after you install it.

#2: You need it to match your vehicle’s paint color. If you’re buying a carbon fiber spoiler or one that’s primed to paint, you’re in good shape. However, if you’re buying one that’s already painted, you need to ensure that it’s going to have to match the existing car paint color on your car or you run the risk of it clashing. Paint codes are unique to makes and models, so do your due diligence before swiping your credit card.

#3: You’ll have to care for it much like the rest of your car. You’ll have to take care of your car spoiler much like the rest of the car – wash it, wax it, etc. And don’t forget, it can still be damaged like the rest of your Orlando Toyota, too. It’s at risk of dings, dents, scratches, and even wind damage if the weather is bad enough, so take the proper precautions.

Why you should invest in a car spoiler

However, we’re big fans of car spoilers here at Toyota of Orlando. Here’s why we think it’s a great accessory to add to your car:

#1: It creates a truly custom look. You can spend a ton of money swapping out wheels, having your car repainted, etc. – or you can add a spoiler to the back. It’s an easy way to create a custom look for your ride without having to spend a ton of money or put your car in the shop for a long period of time.

#2: It enhances performance. Believe it or not, adding this car accessory can actually enhance your car’s performance. Car spoilers catch wind when you’re out on the road and this actually causes them to push the back of your car down, giving you improved handling. It’s a performance improvement that you don’t even have to crack the hood for, and it’s free.

Have questions about car spoilers or want to start shopping? Call Toyota of Orlando today. We’re open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001 and conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.

The post Are you thinking about adding a car spoiler? appeared first on Toyota of Orlando.

Which of these custom Toyota concepts would you drive?

#1: TRD Desert Chase Tundra

As if there wasn’t already enough buzz about the new 2022 Toyota Tundra, Toyota upped its game and turned it into an off-road racing chase support vehicle. This new Toyota concept truck was transformed by the Toyota Motorsports Garage Team and includes a long-travel suspension system, a wide-body kit, a custom roll bar with two spare tires mounted on it, a custom-mounted off-road jack, and all of the other recovery equipment needed to rescue a fellow driver in harsh desert conditions.

#2: “Tacozilla” Toyota Tacoma Camper

We already talked about the “Tacozilla“, a Tacoma converted into a camper made for off-road adventures, at length. We’d buy it. They should make it.

#3: 2022 Lifted and Accessorized Toyota Tundra 

The 2022 Toyota Tundra itself will be up for grabs next month (hint – follow us on social media for updates), but not like this. This customized Supersonic Red truck will offer a 3″ lift kit among other things and will showcase a wide variety of the 100+ accessories that will be available for this redesigned truck. The good news? You can order each and every one of them right here at Toyota of Orlando to customize YOUR new Tundra.

#4: TRD Sport Trailer 

Overlanders, get ready – this all-new overland trailer is designed for finding adventures in the toughest terrains. The trailer is made out of a Tacoma pickup bed and can serve as a base camp for overlanders, offering a remote-operated scissor lift for an additional platform, as well as a Yakima four-person tent with awning, a fridge a slide-out sink, a stove, lighting, fresh and gray water tanks, and a hot water heater for hot showers no matter where your adventures take you.

#5: Tacoma Overlanding Concept 

Cruiser Outfitters and Toyota came together on this one to put together a Tacoma truly intended for adventures off the pavement. This concept truck showcases an Old Man Emu BP-51 adjustable suspension system, Dakar leaf springs in the rear, an ARB summit combo bar with fog lights, an Ultra HD skid plate system, rock sliders, and rocker protection. It also has a Yakima rooftop tent so you can go wherever the wind takes you and be ready for anything.

#6: GR Supra Heritage Edition 

This incredible concept Toyota has 500+ horsepower, is sporting Re-Entry Red as its paint color, and has retro-inspired headlights and taillights as well as a rear wing that takes it back to the 1990s. It also has a tuned engine and turbocharger, bigger brakes, and custom push-rod rear suspension for bigger wheels and tires.

#7: GR Supra Sport Top 

This open-top Toyota Supra was carefully designed to be open-air but still offers the structural rigidity and safety you’d need to hit the road. The two removable roof panels can be stored in the trunk of the car, and there’s no “t-top” design – it’s just open air above. It also has retro styling similar to the GR Supra Heritage Edition.

Honestly, bring them all into production. We’re ready for it!

See all of our Toyotas in person at Toyota of Orlando

Whether you want to see the new Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Supra, or 2022 Toyota Tundra in person, we’ve got you covered. Follow us on social media for updates on the new 2022 Toyota Tundra’s arrival, and give us a call! Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500 and is conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road.

The post New Toyota truck and Supra concepts revealed at SEMA 2021 appeared first on Toyota of Orlando.

Toyota of Orlando rounds up the latest Toyota news

Toyota 86 and Tacoma win Best New Models to Customize awards from SEMA 

SEMA is happening this week (for those of you living under a rock, it’s a huge auto show in Las Vegas) and Toyota is already scooping up awards. The Toyota Tacoma was named the Midsize Truck of the Year Award while the Toyota 86 takes home the honors of the Sport Compact of the Year. These two new Toyotas are extremely customizable and have a plethora of aftermarket parts that can be used to tailor them to very specific drive time needs.

An all-new electric Toyota is announced in Japan 

Toyota is putting its money where its mouth is and putting an all-new electric model into production for 2022. Remember the Toyota bz4X that we talked about a while back? It’s coming to fruition and will offer a new Toyota EV option for drivers who want to go green and cut back on fuel costs. BZ stands for “beyond zero”, and the model won’t just be clean – Toyota is stating that it will actually contribute positively to the environment. We don’t know when we’ll see it stateside, but we’ll keep you posted!

More details released on the 2022 Toyota 86 

The newly redesigned 2022 Toyota 86 is headed to Toyota of Orlando in mere weeks and we’ve got more details recently released from Toyota. This finely tuned new Toyota sports car will offer precision performance, a lower center of gravity, a 2.4L flat-four engine for superior horsepower and performance, and a completely updated interior for a sleeker and sportier look inside the cabin. Additionally, the new MSRP will start at $27,700.

Toyota included on Fortune Magazine’s Global 500 List 

Toyota has moved up a spot to the #9 slot on the Global 500 List put out by Fortune Magazine. This list details the 500 largest corporations in the world based on revenue, and is usually considered a scorecard for a business’s success. We’re proud to say that in spite of COVID and production setbacks, Toyota still managed to finish 2020 strong.

Toyota Dream Car USA Contest officially kicks off 

Do you have a little Toyota fan at home or just a kid that really likes cars? Break out the crayons and coloring paper – Toyota’s Dream Car USA contest has officially begun. Kids can draw up their dream car or what they think cars SHOULD look like in the future and submit online or by US mail through January 31, 2022. The top three contestants will win cash prizes and a display of the winning artwork at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, CA.

Stay tuned for the arrival of the 2022 Toyota Tundra and Toyota 86

That’s all we’ve got for the week! We’ll keep you posted on the arrivals of the new 2022 Toyota Tundra and Toyota 86, but follow us on social media for the latest and greatest updates. Have the best week and call Toyota of Orlando with any questions you might have! (407) 298-4500

The post Toyota news: Week of November 1, 2021 appeared first on Toyota of Orlando.

Halloween 2021 in the City Beautiful

If you want a theme park experience mixed into your Halloween experience, check out events like:

• Halloween Horror Night at Universal Studios, this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6:30 pm to 2 am
• Howl-O-Scream at Sea World Orlando, this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 7 pm to 1 am (12 am on Sunday)
• Halloween Spooktacular at Sea World Orlando, this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 9 am to 7 pm
• Disney After Hours Boo Bash at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, this Friday and Sunday, 9 pm to 12 am
• Brick or Treat at Legoland, this Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 8 pm

However, if you want to keep things a little closer to home, there are plenty of spooktacular ways to get into the Halloween spirit right here in Orlando (without the admission price). Here are some of the haunted happenings you should check out:

• The Haunted Road – a drive-through haunted house experience taking place on Lake Pickett Road in Orlando, kicking off at 7:20 pm
• Dia de los Muertos/Halloween Block Party at ICEBar on October 31
• Gators, Ghosts and Goblins at Gatorland Orlando this Saturday and Sunday
• SpookNona, a Halloween festival on Saturday and Sunday
• Crayola Experience’s Screamin’ Green Hauntoween at Crayola Experience in the Florida Mall this Saturday and Sunday
• Promenade at Sunset Walk’s Trunk or Treat at Promenade at Sunset Walk this Saturday
• A Petrified Forest, two outdoor scare trails in Altamonte Springs this Saturday and Sunday
• Beetlejuice screening at Lake Eola Park, this Saturday
• Orlando Creepy Crawl, a Halloween-themed walking event in Baldwin Park this Saturday
• Halloween party at Howl At the Moon piano bar this Friday
• Halloween (the original) screening at Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company this Friday
• IKEA Halloween Scavenger Hunt at IKEA Orlando, this Friday
• The Halloween Pub Crawl 2021 at Sideshow in Downtown Orlando this Friday
• Little Wekiva Spooktacula 5K at Riverside Elementary this Saturday

Stay safe this Halloweekend!

As you can see, there’s no shortage of frightfully fun things to do this weekend! Just remember to play it safe, never drink and drive, and use our list of trick-or-treating safety tips if you’re heading out to collect candy. And don’t forget – we’re open all weekend, even Sunday, until 10 pm to bring you new Toyota and used car deals so good that they’re scary!

Toyota of Orlando is located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road and we’re open until 10 pm every night. Stop by and see us today, and Happy Halloween from us to you!

The post Halloween 2021 in Orlando: What to do appeared first on Toyota of Orlando.

Is the Toyota MR2 headed back to Toyota of Orlando?

However, to our chagrin, the Toyota MR2 was retired back in 2007 and we haven’t seen it since. Imagine our excitement, then, when we hear rumors that it’s coming back a la Supra – redesigned, retuned, and ready to hit the road. Here are the details!

• Supposedly, Toyota wants to bring the Toyota MR2 back to market. If you recall, back in 2017 there was a statement made by Tetsuya Tada, chief of Toyota Gazoo Racing, about a future performance-based group of cars called the “three brothers”. So far we have the Orlando Toyota 86 and Toyota Supra, so it wouldn’t be out of the question to assume that the MR2 could be making its grand return.
• According to rumors, Toyota is looking for a partner on the project similar to how they partnered with Subaru for the 86 and BMW for the Supra. If what we’re hearing is true, they want to partner with either Lotus or Porsche.
• The new Toyota MR2 would harness hybrid power under the hood – specifically, plug-in hybrid power. It would be mid-engine again, with a 2.8L or 3.0L V6 engine that would offer anywhere from 345 horsepower to 395 horsepower.
• Pricing would kick off at around $43,900, making it even more expensive than the current Toyota Supra models at Toyota of Orlando.
• Aesthetically, the rumors claim that this revived icon will look similar to the Toyota Alessandro Volta concept, which featured a sleek and modern sports car. However, this concept was designed back in 2004, so we don’t know how much weight this one holds.
• Supposedly, this iconic sports car would be returning to market in 2024, which means it would already have to be in development to meet the timeline.

We truly don’t know what to expect from this rumor – it may be just that and disappear in a few months with nothing coming to fruition. We’ll just have to wait and see!

However, if you need to get your sports car fix, come on down to Toyota of Orlando. We can get you behind the wheel of the new Toyota 86 or Toyota Supra so you can see which of them meets your drive time needs!

Test drive a sports car today at Toyota of Orlando

Our Orlando Toyota dealership is located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road. Come see us in person, or call! We can get you more info and schedule your test drive over the phone at (407) 298-4500. Additionally, you can shop online 24 hours a day!

The post Another Toyota MR2 rumor is floating around appeared first on Toyota of Orlando.

Man bodily protects his Supra from a hailstorm 

We all know that some people love their cars. Like, really love them – name them, treat them like children, would do anything. But we saw a whole new level of devotion on TikTok this weekend. A man in Sydney, Australia was featured actually COVERING HIS SUPRA with his body to protect it from hail. Apparently, he had cardboard and blankets to mostly cover the car and fend off the elements, but the hood was left unprotected so he himself acted as a human shield to try and prevent hail damage. All we can say is ouch.

Toyota testing hydrogen combustion engines in race cars 

Toyota recently announced that they’re testing hydrogen combustion technology in the engines of their race cars in an effort to hopefully start utilizing this clean tech in their commercial cars (aka what you drive every day). It wouldn’t happen anytime soon, of course – the technology is still in its infancy and would need to be tested and studied thoroughly before making it a mainstream option. Additionally, the infrastructure for this type of vehicle (fueling stations, repair shops, etc.) isn’t in place and would take time to develop. Regardless, it’s nice to know that another alternative fuel vehicle may be available in the future.

Electric car battery plants coming to US 

Toyota is bringing more business to the US! Over the next decade, the automaker will invest a cool $1.3 billion to build an electric car battery plant right here in the U.S. It’s expected to begin production in 2025. Additionally, another $3.4 billion will be spent on employee training and equipment to ensure the plant is up and running. We don’t know exactly where the plants will be built,

Is a new special edition Tundra model coming? 

Rumor has it that not only is the 2022 Toyota Tundra completely redesigned, but it’s also bringing a new special edition to the table. Most other truck makes (like Ford, RAM, and GMC) have a top-of-the-line luxury model in their truck lineup that pulls out all the stops. It’s been speculated that Toyota WILL offer a luxury model at some point in the game called the “Capstone” model. Toyota hasn’t confirmed anything, but here’s to hoping!

Toyota switching to hybrids and electric cars only in Brazil 

We all know that the push for cleaner energy is on, and Toyota is jumping aboard by upping their research and production of alternative fuel vehicles. They’re taking it one step further in Brazil, though – in the next six years, the automaker till ONLY sell hybrid and electric vehicles in that country.

Want more of the latest news about new Toyotas? Follow us on social media or give us a call – we’re open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500!

The post Toyota News Roundup: Week of October 24, 2021 appeared first on Toyota of Orlando.

What car maintenance should you be doing for an older vehicle?

On top of a car care schedule, here are a few other suggestions:

Test things frequently. If you have an older vehicle, our Orlando Toyota service techs recommend checking things frequently (and they’re not just talking about under the hood). It’s to your benefit to check your A/C, heater, defroster, radio, all of your lighting, your power-adjustable seats and any other knobs, switches, or buttons in your ride. Oftentimes if you catch issues early, they’re less expensive and time-consuming to deal with.  Our techs can give you an estimate on the repair and you can decide if you want to schedule it or if you can live without said feature for the remainder of your car’s ownership.

Get creative and find workarounds. Let’s say your car does need repairs for something non-performance-related. Do you have to shell out for it, or can you find a workaround? Aesthetic imperfections can often be cured by aftermarket parts and accessories – faded seats can get seat covers, peeling wood-grain accents can be covered or painted, and non-functioning radios can be updated to newer audio systems. However, we don’t recommend taking this course of action if you’re dealing with mechanical or electrical issues. It’s best to leave those to the experts at Toyota of Orlando so you don’t cause a bigger (and much more expensive) problem.

Do your research. Do your research before you schedule auto repairs for your older car. Is this something you can do DIY style at home? Is it an issue that needs to be addressed immediately, or can it wait a little bit? Make a list of all the auto repairs your ride needs and figure out how much it’s going to cost. This can help you narrow things down to must-fix and fix later; it can also help you decide if it’s worth it to sink the money into the car, or if it’s time to trade in and trade up (and don’t forget, our Vehicle Exchange Program can help you make that happen).

Schedule high mileage car care at Toyota of Orlando

Have questions about car maintenance for older cars or want to schedule some for yours? Whether you need car care or want to discuss trading in, Toyota of Orlando is here to help. Call us at (407) 298-0001 or stop by and see us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.

The post Car maintenance for your older vehicle: How can you keep up with it? appeared first on Toyota of Orlando.

12 Halloween safety tips to use this year

Tip #1: Make sure you can be seen. If you’re hitting the sidewalks to collect candy this Halloween, make sure you and your little monsters can be seen. If your costumes are dark colors, consider putting reflective tape on them or having everyone carry a glow stick or flashlight so drivers can easily see them crossing the street.

Tip #2: Stay on the sidewalks and crosswalks. Don’t walk in the street, and don’t walk in between parked cars. Trick-or-treaters should stay on the sidewalks at all times and use crosswalks to cross the street to stay out of the way of traffic and ensure that drivers see them.

Tip #3: Don’t trick-or-treat alone. Any child under the age of 12 should be accompanied while an adult while trick-or-treating, and even after that, no one should trick-or-treat alone. Teach your teens to stick to the buddy system at all times while they’re out celebrating.

Tip #4: Put away phones and don’t even take AirPods with you. Put away phones, handheld games, and any other device that may distract your attention from your surroundings. Also, never wear headphones while trick-or-treating – you may not hear oncoming cars.

Tip #5: Consider face paint instead of masks. Masks are definitely spooky, but full face masks can sometimes impede vision, putting your little monster in a less-than-safe situation. Consider face paint to get the costume done instead.

Tip #6: Make sure your costume is the right size. Also, make sure your kids’ costumes are the right size. Too-big costumes can cause tripping and falling, or get caught on things.

Tip #7: Don’t eat candy until it’s been checked. Make it a rule that no one can dig into the candy until it’s been checked back at the house. Better safe than sorry, right?

Tip #8: Try to trick-or-treat in well-lit areas. This will make it easier to see the sidewalks and avoid obstacles, and also make it easier for drivers to see you when you’re crossing the street.

Tip #9: Buy costumes, wigs, and accessories that are flame-resistant.

Tip #10: If you’re carving up pumpkins on Halloween night, remember that while it’s fine for kids to draw the faces and scoop out the seeds, they should let the adults do the actual carving parts.

Tip #11: If you’re handing out candy, ensure that all pets are put safely away so they don’t escape when you open the door.

Tip #12: Remind your kids that they should NEVER enter a stranger’s home while trick-or-treating, nor should they let a stranger into yours while handing out candy.

Happy haunting from Toyota of Orlando!

From our Orlando Toyota family to yours, have a safe and happy Halloween!

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