Tuesday, December 18, 2018

How to make your old car feel like new


Mile after mile, mess after mess, your N Charlotte Toyota used car has and will always be there. From the day you drove it off the lot, you’ve taken care of your vehicle through good times and bad and it’s always performed how you need it to. But maybe your interior has gotten a bit messy in recent months or you still have to use an aux cord to listen to your tunes. Regardless, the honeymoon phase with your car has come and gone and it’s about time you breathed some new life into your drive. Not sure where to start? Lucky for you, Toyota of N Charlotte is here with a guide to help your used car look and feel like the day you drove it off the lot.
N Charlotte Toyota used car for sale

Your used car deserves a makeover

Shine your headlights
Your Charlotte Toyota used car’s headlights have probably dimmed over time and need a little elbow grease to shine again. Thankfully, restoring your headlights is easy, affordable, and simple to do.
Freshen up your interior smell
Sometimes, age can be a good thing, but not for your A/C system and the smell in your Charlotte Toyota used car’s interior. To prevent any bad smells from mold and mildew build-up, have one of our expert auto service techs give your vehicle a once over inspection and replace any components that may be affected.
Clean, clean, clean
To truly clean the interior of your vehicle, you have to go beyond just vacuuming and wiping down surfaces. Our Charlotte Toyota auto service specialists recommend shampooing the carpets and seats, making sure to get in the nooks and crannies of your interior, and putting a little extra oomph into your surface scrubbing. Not only will cleaning leave you with a good feeling, but this will also give you a chance to check for any issues in your interior.
Get some fancy tech
If you still have to use an aux cord to jam out to your favorite tunes, it might be time for an upgrade. Installing a new infotainment system with Bluetooth capability is relatively inexpensive and easy to do yourself! If you want a better sound experience from your Charlotte Toyota used car, you may want to consider replacing the speakers.
Install some new tires
A new pair of wheels or tires is not only essential, it’s going to make your Charlotte Toyota used car look good! If your tires are up for replacement, make sure to shop around and decide on the proper tires for your ride to get the optimal performance you need.

Toyota used car in Charlotte

Your Charlotte Toyota used car may be getting boring, but a little elbow grease and a fresh coat of paint can really work wonders and rekindle the relationship you share with your ride. If you have any questions on how to get started or need a helping hand, visit our expert auto service department at Toyota of N Charlotte today! We’re open seven days a week and you can call us at (704) 659 – 2025 to set up an appointment today!

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Wheel balancing vs alignment: what does it all mean?


Your Charlotte Toyota vehicle uses important components like your exhaust system, engine, and electrical system to operate whenever you turn your key in the ignition. Some parts you probably don’t think of much, unless it goes flat, are your car tires. They’re the only part of your vehicle that makes contact with the road. They get you where you need to go and without them, you’d find yourself in a difficult spot. When your ride gets bumpy, car wheel issues are typically fixed with a either a balancing or an alignment. Many drivers think these terms are synonymous, but Toyota of N Charlotte is here to set the record straight!

Charlotte Toyota car wheel balancing and alignment.
Wheel alignment
Aligning your car wheels is no easy task and typically requires a specific piece of machinery to get the job done. Before we go into detail about what wheel alignment is, let’s brush up on some key terms:
Caster: The angle that your Charlotte Toyota steering pivot is facing. If your car wheel has a negative caster, your steering pivot is facing towards your headlights and a positive castor means it’s facing toward your windshield.
Toe: This term refers to the direction your Charlotte Toyota car wheels are pointing in relation to the road and to each other. Toe out means that your wheels are pointing away from each other and toe in means that your wheels are pointing toward each other.
Camber: Viewing from the front of the Charlotte Toyota vehicle, camber describes the top of the wheel pointing away or towards the center of the car. Positive camber occurs when your car wheels point outward and negative camber means they’re pointing inward.
The goal of a wheel alignment is to bring all wheels to a zero-degree angle or pointing straight. Typically, if your wheels are misaligned, you will likely feel a pull left or right, your steering wheel is crooked when driving straight, and your tires squeal more often.

Wheel balancing
Gradually, your car’s wheels and tires will wear down over time as you accumulate more mileage on your engine. Your tires can wear unevenly, chip, get punctured, or anything in between. To balance your tires a machine is used to measure the overall weight over a certain number of tire revolutions. Weights are then attached to the inside of the car wheel to counteract the weight. These weights are typically attached on the wheel itself with adhesives or hammered right onto the side of the outside of the wheel.
If your wheels are imbalanced, you will typically experience vibrations in the steering wheel or in the seats, uneven tire wear, and poor Charlotte Toyota vehicle handling.


Wheel balancing and aligning made easy at Toyota of N Charlotte
Auto maintenance issues like this are difficult to ignore and should be taken care of as soon as possible to avoid incurring further damage to your vehicle. Luckily, Toyota of N Charlotte is here! Our auto service experts can balance and align your wheels quickly and affordably, so you can get back on the road! Give us a call at (704) 659 – 2025 to set up an appointment today!

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Everything you need to know about the catalytic converter


Your Charlotte Toyota vehicle is truly an engineering marvel with all of its moving parts and mechanisms all at work in perfect sync. A part of your car that may seem as simple as two tail pipes, your exhaust system, is actually far more complex. In fact, your car’s exhaust system works to remove pollution from your exhaust gas, making it less toxic before it’s released from your tail pipe(s). A critical component of this intricate engine part, the catalytic converter, is an important one to know so you can understand how it works and how to troubleshoot one. At Toyota of North Charlotte, we’re here to tell you all you need to know about the catalytic converter, so you can be one step closer to becoming an auto service expert.

Catalytic converter maintenance tips from Toyota of N Charlotte.

How does a catalytic converter work?

Your exhaust system actively works to remove pollutants from engine gas created from combustion and it uses the catalytic converter to do it. This Charlotte Toyota engine part uses a process called catalyzing that uses a redox reaction. There’s a lot of science behind this one, but we’ll keep it short and sweet. Essentially, the catalytic converter catalyzes exhaust gas to produce a cleaner combustion byproduct. This engine part is also responsible for essential functions like:
  • Keeping accelerations smooth.
  • Preventing excessive gas from building up in the engine.
  • Maximizing your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.

Making sure start-ups are smooth.
Typically, during the lifetime of your Charlotte Toyota car, your catalytic converter will not likely have to be replaced or be maintained, but that doesn’t mean you should turn a blind eye to this essential vehicle part.

Troubleshooting your Charlotte Toyota vehicle

It may be uncommon for this Charlotte Toyota engine part to become damaged, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen from time to time. A typical issue that can arise with catalytic converter is catalyst poisoning. This can happen when lead and sulfur leak into the converter and cause poor combustion. This can lead to clogging and eventually the converter will stop working. This Charlotte Toyota engine may be undergoing damage if you experience any of these symptoms:
  • Your check engine light turns on.
  • Your vehicle may experience failed or delayed start-ups.
  • Your vehicle could fail emission tests.
  • Acceleration could be delayed or nonexistent.
  • Your fuel efficiency drops quickly.

Fixing and maintaining your vehicle’s catalytic converter is as easy as getting an oil change. In fact, it’s just that easy! Making sure your Charlotte Toyota vehicle is up-to-date on routine maintenance is key to keeping this vehicle part healthy. It’s also suggested to have your fluid levels periodically checked along with the fuel injectors.

If you think your converter might be in rough shape or you need to get your vehicle on a more routine auto service schedule, then come visit Toyota of North Charlotte today! Our expert auto service techs can get your ride back on the road in no time and at an affordable price. Give us a call at (704) 659 – 2025 today!

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

What’s a vehicle history report and why is it important


When it comes to purchasing your next used car, you need to make sure it’s a vehicle worth sinking your hard-earned money into. The history of your next vehicle can make or break your driving experience before you even get behind the wheel. The all-important vehicle history report can tell you all you need to know about your chosen vehicle’s past so you know you’re buying a car that’s worth your money. At Toyota of N Charlotte, we make it easy with our certified used cars that come equipped with a clean history report. You should always ask for a vehicle history report as part of your car buying process and Toyota of N Charlotte is here to tell you why!

Vehicle history report from Toyota of N Charlotte.

Why you should always ask for a vehicle history report

Your chosen used car may or may not come with a clean history record and you’ll never know until you can read a verified history report. Before you sign on the dotted line, you should know if the N Charlotte Toyota vehicle you’re interested in was well maintained, has accident damage, or has a clean ownership record. A vehicle history report can tell you these essential pieces of information along with things like:
  • Current Title Info.: Your vehicle’s current title standing can be either clean, salvage, rebuilt, or junk. Essentially, this tell you the condition of the N Charlotte Toyota vehicle. Our auto sales experts suggest that you only shop for vehicles with clean titles.
  • Previous Accidents: Accident damage on your vehicle can negatively affect your vehicle’s overall value. An accurate vehicle history report will disclose any accident damage on your chosen N Charlotte Toyota car and the extent of said damage.
  • Current/Past Recalls: Unfortunately, auto manufacturers issue many recalls and it can range from things like a tire pressure sensor to an entire transmission system. Before you purchase your new vehicle, check the vehicle history report to make sure it’s up to date on all recalled components.
  • Current Odometer Reading: The odometer reading on the history report, in the vehicle’s advertisement, and on the physical odometer should all match. If the numbers don’t match when you test drive the N Charlotte Toyota vehicle, start asking questions.
  • Previous Owners: Having more than one owner on a vehicle isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it could be. Previous owners of your chosen N Charlotte used car could have driven it harshly, maintained it poorly, or stored it in poor conditions.
  • Service History: There are several types of vehicle history reports you can request for your chosen used car and some of them may disclose its service history. This can give you a good idea as to how well the vehicle has been maintained before you got behind the wheel.

If you’re unsure of what to look for in a vehicle history report, have no fear, Toyota of N Charlotte is here! Give us a call at (704) 875 - 9199 for more information.

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Toyota of N Charlotte’s tips for safer night driving


Driving has become second nature to many people and we often forget that there are always dangers when we get on the road. While driving during the daylight comes with its own set of hazards, driving at night is especially unsafe. Only 25% of traveling occurs during the evening hours but, according to the NHTSA, almost half of all traffic related fatalities occur during those times. Unfortunately, driving at night is something we can’t just avoid, but we can take steps to make it a safer driving experience. Check out these tips from Toyota of N Charlotte and stay safe.

Driving at night tips from Toyota of N Charlotte.

Drive alert
Being fatigued can almost certainly lead to an accident and driving at night can only make your exhaustion worse. Before you get behind the wheel, make sure to rest and, if you feel tired while driving your N Charlotte Toyota car, find the nearest rest area and rest before resuming your commute.

Limit distractions
Distractions like cell phone use, eating, and paying attention to your passengers can take your attention from the road ahead and poses a safety hazard. With limited vision and the brightness of headlights while driving at night, you can’t afford to get distracted. Put away your phone, dim the cabin lights, and have your passengers settled down to stay more focused.

Clean your N Charlotte Toyota car’s windshield
Your vehicle’s windshield is the one way you’re able to see the road ahead safely and if it’s dirty then trying to see what’s ahead becomes difficult. Especially when you’re driving at night. Be sure to wipe your N Charlotte Toyota car’s windshield clean to avoid obscured vision. Also, make sure to inspect your windshield wiper blades to see if they need to be replaced.

Drive defensively
With limited vision and heavy headlight reliance, driving at night poses a world of threats to N Charlotte Toyota drivers. Always keep your headlights on while driving in the dark to increase your visibility and use your high beam headlights when necessary. Make sure to leave plenty of space between you and the driver in front of you, slow down your speed to increase your reaction time, and stay focused on the road ahead.

Get a regular eye exam
Driving your N Charlotte Toyota car relies almost entirely on your ability to see the road clearly in front of you. If you’re wearing your corrective lenses (contacts, glasses, etc.) and still having issues seeing clearly when driving at night, you could be developing a form of night blindness. Make sure to consult a optometrist regularly and take eye exams to ensure that you’re up to date on your prescriptions.

Drive safely with Toyota of N Charlotte

Driving at night is always dangerous, but taking steps to drive carefully and stay focused can keep you safe. If you need additional safe driving tips, to replace your windshield wipers replaced, or your headlights cleaned, then visit Toyota of N Charlotte! Give us a call at (704) 659 – 2025.

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Weird car sounds and what they mean


Typically, when your N Charlotte Toyota vehicle runs into a problem your dashboard is the first place to look. While your dashboard lights can give you a general idea of which auto maintenance issues to look for, your vehicle also has a basic but helpful alternative method. Car sounds typically mean something is going wrong under the hood and they can often help you determine the specific problem that’s going on with your N Charlotte Toyota vehicle. Most drivers experience car sounds, but knowing exactly what they mean can be tricky. Luckily, Toyota of N Charlotte is here with an easy guide to make sense of all the car sounds you may hear.

A guide on car sounds from Toyota of N Charlotte.

Yawning or groaning: Yawning and groaning sounds can typically occur while turning your steering wheel. If you hear this, it’s likely an issue with the power steering system. Our N Charlotte auto service experts recommend having this car sound professionally inspected.
Squeals: Unfortunately, squealing car sounds are fairly common and can be caused by a variety of places and they can be difficult to pinpoint. For example, if the sound occurs when you press the brakes, then it’s likely a worn brake pad or rotor. But the sound could also come from your N Charlotte Toyota car’s engine area which could be caused by a worn belt.
Flapping: A flapping sound that happens when you use your air conditioning is likely being caused by a worn out or loose ventilation flap. The car sound can get pretty annoying, but this auto maintenance issue isn’t one that will make or break you N Charlotte vehicle.
Rear rumble or roar: Typically, a roaring sound is accompanied by a rumbling feeling and that could spell issues with your vehicle’s exhaust system. If there’s a leak somewhere in the system, excess noise can escape and cause and excessive amount of sound and vibration. The car sound isn’t necessarily an issue, but exhaust system leaks can often lead to carbon monoxide leaks into your N Charlotte Toyota car’s cabin which can be fatal. Make sure to have this issue inspected by an auto service tech immediately.
Grumpy cat: No, we’re not referencing a meme. If your car makes a sound similar to when you wake a cat from a nap or a type of growling noise, this could be a sign that your engine’s battery is running out of power. A N Charlotte auto service tech can usually solve this issue with a simple recharge, but you may need to have your battery replaced.

Take care of weird car sounds at Toyota of N Charlotte

Hearing odd car sounds from under the hood or the undercarriage can worry the most composed of driver, but they can often point you in the right direction when it comes to auto maintenance issues. If you’re uncertain as to what’s making noise in your car, visit our auto service department at Toyota of N Charlotte! Give us a call at (704) 659 – 2025 to set up an appointment today!

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Towing equipment 101


October is coming to an end and that means Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Whether you’re visiting family outside of North Charlotte or just wanting to get away for the holiday, you may need to tow your luggage. Having towing equipment installed on your vehicle makes traveling by car convenient. But, if your vehicle didn’t come with a towing kit installed and you’re looking to have one installed, you need to know what you’re looking for. Toyota of N Charlotte is here with an easy guide on towing equipment, so you can haul and carry whatever you need for your trip.

Towing equipment basics from Toyota of N Charlotte.

Different types of towing equipment

Most often you’ll find towing equipment installed on larger N Charlotte Toyota SUVs and trucks, but they can be installed on sedans and smaller vehicles. While tow hitches may seem as simple as hooking up a trailer and driving, but there are a lot of specific types that are used for different purposes and vehicles. These are a few different types of hitches that can be installed on N Charlotte Toyota vehicles:
  • Class 1: This type of tow hitch can be installed on smaller vehicles like sedans and can haul up to 2,000 pounds. Towing equipment like this can be best used for bike racks and small trailers.
  • Class 2: Like class 1 towing equipment, this hitch is usually installed on N Charlotte Toyota vehicles like mid-size SUVs (think Toyota RAV4). They can haul up to 3,500 pounds.
  • Class 3: Reserved for heavier vehicles like the N Charlotte Toyota Tundra, this towing equipment can haul up to 8,000 pounds.
  • Class 4: Full size SUVs and trucks are usually outfitted with this type of tow hitch and can haul up to 10,000 pounds.
  • Class 5: Many N Charlotte Toyota vehicles aren’t equipped with this type of towing equipment. They can handle between 16,000 and 20,000 pounds.

There are also different specialty tow hitches that can be placed in different spots on your N Charlotte Toyota vehicle and are used to haul specific equipment. Here are a few different types of equipment you may find:
  • Weight Distribution Hitches: Hitches like these take weight from the tongue of the tow hitch to keep the front end of your vehicle grounded. These types of hitches can be used on class 3, 4, and 5 hitches.
  • 5th Wheel: This type of tow hitch is reserved for very large pickup trucks and can haul up to 25,000 pounds. They can haul travel trailers and typically keep their weight in the beds of trucks.
  • Bumper hitch: This type of towing hitch attaches directly to the bumper of a N Charlotte Toyota vehicle rather than on the undercarriage.

Your towing equipment needs met at Toyota of N Charlotte

If you’re looking to get away this holiday season and need the equipment to get your belongings where they need to go, then come shop our auto parts at Toyota of N Charlotte! We’re located at 13429 Statesville Road and open seven days a week!

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Car transmissions 101


Your car transmission can be easily summarized by the shifter that puts your N Charlotte Toyota into park, neutral, reverse, and drive. However, this large and important vehicle component helps to maintain acceleration and keep your vehicle idling when in park. It can also drastically affect your driving experience. While you can typically boil car transmissions down to manual or automatic, there are several different types that each come with different perks and functions. If you’re a bit confused on this, don’t worry! Toyota of N Charlotte is here with a guide to help better understand the wide world of transmissions.

Check out Toyota of N Charlotte's guide on car transmissions!

Going beyond manual and automatic car transmissions

When it comes to your transmission options, manual and automatic are the common choices in your N Charlotte Toyota vehicle. Here are the essential differences between these two basic car transmission types:

Manual
Manual is the original car transmission and it operates using a clutch in which the driver manually changes the gear based on the current rpm reading. For this type of car transmission, drivers usually don’t have a free hand due to frequent shifting. This transmission does typically offer better fuel efficiency over other types.

Automatic
This type of transmission is also common in many N Charlotte Toyota vehicles and is hailed as being one of the more convenient types. Using an electronically controlled shifting system, automatic transmissions move from one gear to the next automatically as the vehicle increases and decreases in speed. Compared to manual transmissions, automatics are somewhat less fuel efficient due to a slip that occurs when shifting. Automatic car transmissions are also versatile with four different types including:
  1. Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT): CVTs can be best described as a transmission system without any physical gears or actual shifting. Instead, they use a set of variable pulleys and a torque converter to keep “shifts” smooth. While smooth and shiftless, CVTs are often criticized for their noisiness and lack of power generation.
  2. Conventional Automatic: Using a torque converter, this transmission type transfers power to itself and shifts using electronically controlled clutch packs.
  3. Automated Manual: Believe it or not, an automated manual is actually a form of automatic car transmission. Typically, these types of N Charlotte automatics don’t require input from the driver to shift gears, but give the option with expanded column and paddle shifters.
  4. Dual-Clutch Automated Manual: Dual-clutch transmissions in N Charlotte Toyota vehicles use two separated gear shafts and shift automatically. One column is designated by odd numbered gears (1, 3, 5, and 7) while the other contains the even numbered gears (2, 4, and 6). The system uses an internal computer to electronically select the gear to shift to and while it shifts to the selected gear it selects the one.

Learn more about transmissions at Toyota of N Charlotte

While most drivers really only care about picking between a manual or automatic transmission for their new N Charlotte Toyota vehicle, knowing which transmission would fit best in your vehicle helps you get the most out of your driving experience. If you’re still confused by this complex N Charlotte Toyota part, then you should chat with our expert auto service team at Toyota of N Charlotte. They can answer any questions you have and help you find the one that fits best in your next vehicle. Give us a call at (704) 659 – 2025 for more information.

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Why should Charlotte oil changes be a priority?


Do you consider yourself to be a responsible car owner? It’s a lot of adulting to ensure that your car is operated safely, insured, and paid for every month. However, there’s a whole other element that you need to consider - keeping your car maintained! A routine car maintenance schedule is essential to keep your engine and all of the other working parts in good condition and also to keep your performance where it needs to be. One of the top items on that car maintenance list? Oil changes


affordable oil change


Why should you make oil changes a priority?


Why are oil changes so important? To put it simply, oil is what keeps your engine running. When your oil gets too low or too dirty to perform, you can risk big problems and expensive repairs under the hood. Toyota of N Charlotte is here to assist you in being a responsible car owner by breaking down the ins and outs of routine oil changes.

First, let’s talk a little bit more about what oil does. It basically acts as a lubricant for the inner working of your engine - it keeps things cool and ensures that all parts move fluidly and without too much friction. Obviously it’s very important if you want your car to perform. When the oil levels get too low or the oil gets too dirty, it can’t do its job of lubricating and cooling the system. This means more friction and subsequently, more heat inside the engine. It can get so bad that parts can actually melt together and cause your engine to seize up - that’s a serious expense.

When is it time to schedule this Charlotte Toyota service?


So how do you know when it’s time to schedule a Charlotte oil change? Well, if you’re on a schedule, it’s pretty simple - Toyota of N Charlotte will send you a reminder! However, it’s important to check your car’s oil to see how it’s doing from time to time. You do this by locating the oil dipstick under the hood, pulling it out and wiping it with a clean cloth, and then reinserting it and pulling it out again to examine the oil. Here are a few telltale signs it’s time to visit the auto service center:

  • When you pull the oil dispstick out, you see that the oil is dark brown or black in color. This indicates dirty oil - it should be a caramel hue.
  • You see that the oil isn’t reaching a point in between the two tick marks on the dipstick. If the oil is below the bottom tick mark, it’s too low. If it’s above the top tick mark, then it’s too full and you need to see a mechanic to avoid damage. Either way, it’s time for Charlotte auto service!

Ready to schedule an affordable oil change or want to get on a car maintenance schedule to make life easy? Call Toyota of N Charlotte today! We’re open and waiting for you at (704) 659-2025. Don’t forget to ask about our auto service specials!

4 tips to care for your car battery


Have you ever gone to start your car, turned the key in the ignition, and heard nothing but silence? If your car battery is dead, you’re going nowhere fast. That’s why it’s important to care for and maintain this car part so it’s always ready to get things rolling. Toyota of N Charlotte is here with tips to help you do it - it sounds intimidating, but car battery car can be simple and affordable!

Charlotte auto service

4 tips to keep your car battery running like-new


Tip #1: Inspect your car battery regularly. It’s pretty simple - just pop the hood and check the general condition of it! You’ll want to inspect the exterior for signs of a problem. These include the case cracking, swelling or bulging. You’ll also want to look for leaks or corrosion, which can also signal an issue.

Tip #2: Clean corrosion off of the cables and cable bolts. Cleaning the cables and bolts is easy and inexpensive, although our Charlotte auto service techs can certainly take care of it for you if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself. The easiest way to do it is to mix a tablespoon of baking soda and a cup of water and then use a metallic brush to scrub the posts and cables. Rinse everything with cool water and reconnect the cables carefully.

Tip #3: Check the voltage levels. You can buy a voltometer to check this yourself but if you don’t feel like making the investment, just schedule Charlotte auto service at our Toyota service center to have the battery checked. Checking the voltage will give you a good idea of whether or not you need to replace the battery soon.

Tip #4: Replace it regularly. Car batteries weren’t meant to last forever and they definitely don’t. When it’s time for you to replace yours, do it! We know it’s an expense, but it’s a necessary one that’s just part of car ownership. It’s better to replace it when you’re due than to risk getting stuck somewhere with a dead car and no way to get where you need to go.

Do you need Charlotte auto service for this important part?

And finally, here are some signs that you may need to replace your car battery soon:

  • Your car won’t start or has a hard time getting started when you turn the key
  • Your headlights look dim but get brighter when you rev the car’s engine
  • Your battery light comes on in your dashboard
  • You see leaking or major corrosion, or the case is swelling or cracked
  • You’re at the expiration date - most cases will tell you how long the battery should last

If you notice any of these signs, bring your car into Toyota of N Charlotte so our techs can take a look under the hood and see what the best course of action is for your ride.

Want to schedule auto service or think you may need a replacement car battery? Call Toyota of N Charlotte’s service center today at (704) 659-2025!

Charlotte car tire care basics


Do you know how to properly care for your car tires? It’s simpler than it sounds, but it does require a bit of time, effort, and investment on your part. That’s part of being a responsible car owner! However, before you balk at spending money on routine tire care, take note - it’s a lot cheaper to care for your tires than it is to deal with the effects of NOT caring for them. Our auto service techs at Toyota of N Charlotte are here to guide you down the path of responsible car maintenance

Charlotte car maintenance



Car tire care is easy and affordable with these tips

Taking care of your tires doesn’t have to be complicated. It just takes a little bit of work on your end and a few regularly scheduled car maintenance appointments at Toyota of N Charlotte. Here are some of the steps you can take to keep your car tires in top-notch shape:

  • Conduct routine inspections of your tires yourself. You should check their general condition - look for things like bubbles, punctures, tears, nails and screws, and sidewall separation. If you spot any of these issues, visit our Charlotte auto service center for repairs or replacements, depending on the damage.
  • Check tread depth. Proper tread depth ensures that you get the traction you need to grip the road. Use the simple penny test - put a penny in your car tire’s tread with Abraham Lincoln’s head down. If you can see the top of his head, your tread is too shallow and it’s time for new tires.
  • Make sure you stay on top of PSI. Your car tires should always be inflated to the proper PSI. This lengthens the life of your tires because they create less friction and wear less quickly. It also improves handling and ensures you get the fuel efficiency you’re supposed to get! Underinflated tires even make your engine word harder than it normally would.  You can figure out the proper PSI by checking your owner’s manual.
  • Get routine tire rotations. This is a BIG part of car tire maintenance! Rotations extend the life of your tires. Your tires wear as you drive on them and when you rotate them, they wear evenly on all sides. Our Charlotte auto service techs will rotate them from left to right and front to back to give you a longer lifespan. When you skip tire rotations, they’ll wear out a lot faster and you’ll spend more money than you should replacing them.
  • Be careful with your driving habits. Avoid driving around construction sites; they’re littered with pieces of metal, nails, and screws that can all do damage to your car tires. You should also avoid driving on rough roads with lots of potholes, as these can damage your tires and more if you hit them hard enough.

Schedule your Charlotte auto service with us today!

Think you need new tires or just want to schedule routine maintenance like a rotation? Call us today at (704) 659-2025, or just swing by! We’re conveniently located at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23. Ask about our car maintenance specials to make things even more affordable!