6 Common Car Maintenance Misdiagnoses

Being a car driver certainly doesn’t make you an expert on all things auto. For most people, it’s key to ignition and foot to pedal and that’s where it ends. And when it comes to getting car maintenance, it can be a bit nerve-wracking not knowing exactly what’s being done to your Charlotte Toyota car. At our auto service drive, we take pride in working with our customers to ensure they have a comprehensive knowledge of what’s being done to their vehicle. But it doesn’t hurt to have some personal knowledge to keep yourself better informed about how your vehicle works. To help you get started, Toyota of N Charlotte is here with a guide on common car maintenance misdiagnoses and what they actually mean so you can be in the know during your next auto service.

Toyota of N Charlotte’s Guide to the Correct Car Maintenance Diagnoses

1) Bad Water Pump

If you’re having issues with your Charlotte Toyota car’s heating and A/C system, a common car maintenance diagnoses would be a defective water pump. An auto service expert will typically check for things like the air temperature coming from your system and the coolant level and quality in the vehicle. This problem could also be a result of a clogged heater core so be sure to have an auto service tech check both.

2) Low Freon

When it comes to your A/C not blowing cold, it could be one of two things, a low freon level or a damaged air conditioning system. Most often times, our Charlotte auto service techs will inspect the freon levels in your vehicle along with the entire A/C system. This car maintenance issue could be an expensive or cheap fix, make sure to have both possibilities checked out.

3) Bad Suspension

Your suspension is one of the most crucial parts of your vehicle and can make or break it. If you’re experiencing symptoms like clunking or squeaking while you drive, it could just be a bad sway bar end link. This part is much easier to replace, and repair so have it checked first.

4) Electrical Issues

With all the modern features on new N Charlotte Toyota vehicles, electrical car maintenance issues can certainly occur. Try not to panic just yet! Have your auto service tech take their time sorting through the various electrical systems in your vehicle to determine where the problem is.

5) Fuel Problems

Car maintenance issues with your fuel or fuel efficiency could be caused by a variety of things. Before your auto service tech checks the big things like the fuel pump or filter, make sure they check simpler things like the injector, O-ring, or solenoid.

6) Bad O₂ Sensor

Spotting a failing O₂ sensor is fairly straightforward, but it may be the actual problem your vehicle is experiencing. Have your Charlotte auto service tech check for other triggered sensors or for a vacuum leak before ruling this car maintenance issue as a failing O₂ sensor.

Still have questions about your vehicle? Don’t worry, we’re here to help at Toyota of N Charlotte! Visit our dealership at 13429 Statesville Road seven days a week.

Toyota of N Charlotte’s Tips for a Perfect Car Wash

Living in Charlotte, you’re probably getting tired of all the pollen. You’ve probably been having a difficult time finding your car because it looks like it’s a totally different color than it was yesterday. With the pollen count being as high as it is right now, your car is struggling to stay clean and getting a car wash can get pretty expensive. Have you ever thought to clean your vehicle yourself? While it may seem intimidating at first, it’s actually very easy to give your car a thorough wash without making breaking the bank on an expensive wash. Toyota of N Charlotte is here with an easy guide on the art of the car wash and how you can get the best clean possible.

1) See if you really need a car wash

Before you unravel the hose, bust out the bucket, and start soaping the sponges, you should probably check to make sure you actually need to all the way with your car washing. Depending on how much dirt and grime is on your vehicle, you may not have to scrub and soap your car for hours and may just need a simple waxing. Make sure to evaluate your N Charlotte Toyota vehicle before starting your car wash.

2) Read the labels

Even if you’re well versed in the washing of cars, sometimes you can forget about where and how to use certain washing products. Properly applying products is essential to a perfect wash so make sure you always read the labels.

3) The two/three bucket system

Washing dishes and even washing yourself in a bath tub reminds us why we should always use a two or three bucket system during a car wash. Soaking and soaping sponges into the same bucket after they’ve been wiping away grime and dirt on your N Charlotte Toyota car can lead to a collection of dirt on your cleaning supplies that gets reapplied to the vehicle throughout the wash. Having two rinsing buckets and a soap bucket will ensure a thorough clean without simply exchanging dirt.

4) Rinse and then wash

Before you take a sponge to the paint, make sure to give your N Charlotte vehicle a good rinsing first. This will loosen up the dirt and grime on the paint and make washing much easier.

5) Check for scratches and tough blemishes

Some scratches and blemishes can be tough to remove. If your car wash revealed a few in your car’s paint, our N Charlotte Toyota auto service techs recommend using a claybar for buffing.

6) Wash your windows and tires

Having a clear view is absolutely important when driving to stay safe and observe your surroundings effectively. Use a glass specific cleaner to wipe away dirt from your windshield and windows. For your vehicle’s tires, make sure to use a cloth or flexible sponge to really get between the spokes of the wheels and use a tire shine to complete the look.

Still have questions about how to get the perfect car wash? Feel free to ask our auto service techs at Toyota of N Charlotte. We’re open seven days a week and located at 13429 Statesville Road in Huntersville.

Toyota Safety Technology Explained

When you start shopping for a new car, it’s likely that you’ll wind up looking for eye-catching features like leather interior seat trim, a cool front grille, and maybe a sunroof. But some features you probably don’t actively look for, but definitely care about, are safety features. Think about it, while you may want your vehicle to catch eyes and look good while on the road, you definitely want a N Charlotte Toyota vehicle that’s well equipped to keep you safe. As a driver, its your responsibility to keep yourself, your passengers, and other drivers on the road safe. Luckily, when you’re shopping Toyota you know you’re shopping for something that’s not only engineered with practical safety features but also contains the most advanced in Toyota safety technology. At Toyota of N Charlotte, we have all the details on the best of the best safety features in Toyota vehicles.

Keeping You Safe on the Road

Technology moves the automotive industry forward every day and new Toyota safety technology is arguably one of the most important pieces of tech to be produced. Keeping drivers, passengers, and pedestrians safe is what new safety technology does best. Here are a few of the advanced technology systems being used to protect you while behind the wheel:

Toyota Safety Sense

This suite of advanced Toyota safety technology uses tools like integrated cameras, radars, and sensors to create an adaptive and safe experience.

• Lane Departure Alert: If a driver begins to drift from their lane while driving without indicating the intent to do so, a sensor on the windshield will alert the driver.
• Automatic High Beams: When in low visibility driving conditions, your high beam headlights will be automatically toggled on and off when another vehicle is detected.
• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection: Using a variety of cameras on the front bumper of the N Charlotte Toyota vehicle, this Toyota safety technology system actively detects pedestrians and assists the driver in stopping to avoid an accident with a vehicle or pedestrian.
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: When activated, this cruise control system maintains a preset distance and speed behind vehicles in front.
• Lane Tracing Assist: With Dynamic Radar Cruise Control active, Lane Tracing Assist maps the sides of the current lane your N Charlotte Toyota is in to stay centered.

The Star Safety System

Standard on all N Charlotte Toyota vehicles, the Star Safety System is a Toyota safety technology program that helps the driver maintain control of the vehicle in different traffic scenarios.

• Vehicle Stability Control (VSC): This system helps maintain control of the vehicle in the event of understeering while cornering.
• Traction Control (TRAC): In the event that a driver should heavily accelerate on a slippery surface, this N Charlotte Toyota safety system reduces and restrains the slippage of the vehicle drive wheels.
• Brake Assist: Emergency braking often requires the driver to heavily apply the brakes to avoid a collision. This system helps to provide additional force if the driver is unable to react quickly or apply the right force.
• Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS): Braking on slippery surfaces can often cause your N Charlotte Toyota car’s wheels to lock. This Toyota safety technology system prevents them from locking.
• Electronic Brake Distribution: Piggybacking off the ABS, this system ensures that your brakes receive the same amount of force to prevent skidding and sliding.

Ready to shop for your next ride? Come shop with us at Toyota of N Charlotte for new vehicles equipped with Toyota safety technology you need. Check out our inventory online or give us a call at (704) 875 – 9199 seven days a week!

It might be time to retire your used car

Through mile after mile, time after time, your N Charlotte Toyota vehicle has always been there braving the road with you. But, year after year your Toyota used car is likely going to run into several issues along the way. Driving a vehicle that’s been paid off is definitely cost effective, but in the long run that may not be the case. Your used car may begin to under-perform, break down, or fail on you entirely and this could lead to terribly high expenses in the long run. If you’re unsure of what to look for if you think your vehicle is giving out, check out this guide from us at Toyota of N Charlotte.

1) It’s hard to find repair and replacement parts

Unfortunately, when it comes to repairing or replacing parts on your Charlotte Toyota used vehicle it can be difficult as the years go on. Your particular vehicle could be discontinued, meaning production could be stopped, and finding replacement parts can prove to be difficult, expensive, or even impossible.

2) Repair costs exceed your used car’s resale value

If you do manage to find replacement parts for your vehicle, the repair costs may exceed the real value of your Charlotte Toyota car. Vehicle depreciation is unforgiving when it comes to the resale value of your car and as the years go by, your car will continue to decrease in resale value. If you encounter an issue and fixing it is going put you upside down on your vehicle’s value, you may want to seriously consider getting rid of it while you have the chance.

3) Accident damage

Being out on the road so much, your Charlotte Toyota used car has a much better chance of getting into an accident and consequently being damaged. Depending on the verdict from your insurance company, your vehicle could be considered a “total loss,” meaning the repair cost exceeds the true value of the car. In cases like this, it’s wise to take the payout from your insurance company and shopping for a new N Charlotte Toyota vehicle rather than attempting to repair the vehicle.

4) Cracked or damaged engine block

After years and years and miles and miles, the damage on your Toyota used car may be damage you can’t see. If you’ve been noticing frequent unreliable start-ups, flat lining, or physical signs of damage in the engine compartment, you may have a cracked or damaged engine block. This is a very costly auto repair issue and another sign that it may be time to find a new vehicle.

5) Rust

Rust on the body or undercarriage of your vehicle is something that can truly ruin your ride. If you start to notice more and more rust spots on your Charlotte used car, it’s time to find a different ride.

If you’re unsure if it’s the right time to retire your old reliable ride, come talk with us at Toyota of N Charlotte! We can help you get behind the wheel of a brand-new ride or repair your current ride. We’re open seven days a week and located at 13428 Statesville Road.