When do you need a car battery test?

Your car battery dying is a huge inconvenience and can be dangerous in certain situations. This is why it’s important to know the signs of a failing car battery and when it’s time to replace one. Our Charlotte Toyota auto service techs are Making it Simple™ to let you know when to get a car battery test.

Four signs of a failing car battery

Knowing the four main signs of a failing car battery can definitely help you prevent an inconvenient time when you need to drive. Here’s the list:

1. Dashboard light. The car battery light, on the dashboard, illuminates.

2. Battery case. The battery case is swelling.

3. Smell. When the hood is open and smells like a sulfur or rotten egg smell.

4. Slow start. The car has a slow start or refuses to start.

If you start to notice any of the signs of a failing battery, you’ll benefit from scheduling a car battery test at our Charlotte Toyota service center. Our Toyota techs can give you a quick diagnosis to tell you the next steps on what to do about your car battery. 

Should you replace your battery if it fails the car battery test?

If you, unfortunately, have one of the main four signs of a failing car battery, you’ll need to schedule a battery test.  Whether you decide to schedule it at Toyota of N Charlotte or another car maintenance center, you should expect that your tech will use a battery tester (well duh). The battery tester sends a jolt of electricity through the battery and then will give a simple readout. Here’s what the readout might look like

• Good. The read gives you two meanings: good news and good battery standing. You don’t have to replace your battery for at least another six months – but if you experience harsh winters or summers (like we do in N Charlotte) then it might take a toll. Our Charlotte Toyota techs recommend keeping your car inside for as long as possible and keeping an eye on it at home.

• Weak. This read gives you a signal saying it’s about time to replace it – and you should do it sooner rather than later. Our Charlotte Toyota techs recommend replacing it no longer than a week after the test reading.

• Replace now. Well…this one is pretty obvious. Make sure to check if your battery has a warranty so you can get a free/discounted replacement. 

How often should you schedule a car battery test?

Our Charlotte Toyota techs recommend getting a car battery done at least twice a year. When you’re doing your car maintenance routine, you should definitely ask your technician to run a car battery test. 

Schedule your car battery care at Toyota of N Charlotte

Have you experienced any signs of a failing car battery? Then, schedule service at Toyota of N Charlotte today.  We can help at 13429 Statesville Road. Take exit 23 off I-77 in Huntersville or call us at (704) 659-2025 

Should you consider buying cars with 360 cameras?

When it comes to safety, Toyota has always had the latest and greatest technology so you can park, drive, and reverse, with ease. One of the features that are becoming more and more popular is cars with 360 cameras. If you aren’t sure if you want that type of Toyota technology, our N Charlotte Toyota product specialists are going to help you make up your mind. Let’s see if cars with 360 cameras are for you.

Cars with 360 Cameras – What is it? 

If you’re looking for the formal name for cars with 360 cameras, you’ll see different names. It could be a Bird’s Eye View Camera or a Surround-View Camera. But, here at Toyota of N Charlotte, we call them Panoramic View Monitors. The purpose of this technology is to give a 360-degree view of what’s around your car.

How Does This Toyota Technology Work? 

So, now that we know that cars with 360 cameras help you see what’s going around your N Charlotte Toyota. We want to know more about them and how they work. Let’s get into it:

• To see everything, Toyota usually puts four cameras in cars with 360 cameras. It helps you see everything in every direction. 

• When you see your monitor, there’s an image displayed of where your car is located. It’s compiled by multiple images that the cameras catch and it’s then combined with a software program. The monitor will show you your vehicle from a bird's eye view – showing you what’s around your car.

• You’ll also get a split-view image that will give you more to see than just your average backup camera - which will combine a bird's eye view and a backup camera. This way you won’t back up into fire extinguishers in parking garages – yes, this is a personal experience.

In addition, you can see that there are a ton of perks to having this type of N Charlotte Toyota technology. You’ll have a crystal clear image of your surroundings! Plus, you’ll have a much easier time backing into tight parking spaces, off-road terrain, terrible traffic, and other road hazards.

Which N Charlotte Toyotas cars have 360 cameras?

There are a couple of 2024 N Charlotte Toyota cars with 360 cameras. Here’s the list for you:

• Toyota Grand Highlander & Grand Highlander Hybrid

• Toyota Tacoma

• Toyota Sequoia

• Toyota 4Runner

• Toyota Tundra

• Toyota Crown

• Toyota Camry & Camry Hybrid

• Toyota bZ4X

• Toyota RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, & RAV4 Prime

• Toyota Land Cruiser

• Toyota Venza

• Toyota Sienna

• Toyota Prius & Prius Prime

• Toyota Highlander & Highlander Hybrid

Note that the 360 camera does not come on every single trim level on your N Charlotte Toyota because Toyota wants you to have options. If you are looking for cars with 360 cameras, then you can always add it on – but it is a little expensive. If the price tag is worth it to you, for the extra layer of safety, then our N Charlotte Toyota experts say it’s a good idea to add it on when purchasing your next Toyota.

Can You Install a 360 Camera in Your Car? 

If you are thinking about DIYing the installation of a 360 camera in your camera, you definitely can. However, it is sold as an aftermarket auto part. This makes it not recommended by our N Charlotte Toyota experts because you won’t get the quality, warranty, and reliability that comes with our Toyotas. Also, if you do decide to DIY it – bless your heart as it takes a long time to install.

Stop by Toyota of N Charlotte

If you want to take one of the cars with 360 cameras at our dealership for a spin and check out this tech, then stop by our dealership! We’re located at 13429 Statesville Road. Take exit 23 off I-77 in Huntersville.

What to Do When You Overfill Your Gas Tank

We imagine you would probably panic a little if you accidentally overfilled your tank. An overfilled gas tank can definitely cause damage to a vehicle over time. However, there’s some helpful information to know to protect your N Charlotte Toyota from this situation. Let’s get into it! 

What Happens if You Overfill Your Gas Tank?

It’s okay if you’ve been in this position, it happens to the best of us! So what happens if you overfill your gas tank? (Besides probably need to buy some new shoes!) There is definitely some damage that can be caused by an overfilled gas tank, here are the details from our Toyota of N Charlotte team. 

• Damaged solenoids that can prevent your car from starting
• Purge valve failure that can cause fuel efficiency and emission issues
• A saturated charcoal canister that causes a gasoline smell and problems filling up your tank
• Problems starting and accelerating your vehicle 

Not to mention, spilling gasoline on the ground is a major contributor to pollution of the air, soil and water! This is also a serious fire hazard if the gasoline is not cleaned up immediately. Now that we know some of the potential dangers, let’s take a look at what you can do about this issue.

Here is What to Do When You Overfill Your Gas Tank

Realistically, overfilling the tank just one time will not cause any significant damage to your N Charlotte Toyota. Definitely be mindful and clean up the mess quickly (gas is extremely flammable after all). It’s also a good idea to start taking steps to prevent it from happening again in the future (not a good reoccurring problem to have).

Preventing an Overfilled Gas Tank

Let’s talk about some of the ways you can avoid overfilling your Toyota of N Charlotte vehicle’s gas tank. 

• Stay close to the pump! Listen carefully for the click when your tank is full - and this is especially important for everyone who uses the pump handle lock. 
• Pay attention! It’s tempting to be on your phone or sitting in the car, but as soon as the pump clicks you need to be ready to pull the pump out immediately.
• Don’t try to “top off” your tank! A lot of people will try to squeeze a few extra drops into the tank after the pump clicks. Really, it’s just not possible to get extra fuel in the tank and can end up causing gas to spill out everywhere. 

Visit us at Toyota of N Charlotte 

Whether you have more questions about an overfilled gas tank or other auto service needs, stop by Toyota of N Charlotte! We’re at 13429 Statesville Road. Take exit 23 off I-77 in Huntersville. We look forward to helping you out with your ride!