4 easy at home auto repairs you should know how to do - Toyota of N Charlotte tips

DIY car care at home can be really intimidating, but knowing how to care for your vehicle little by little is never a bad skill to have. Toyota of N Charlotte will get your vehicle in and out of our doors as quickly and as cost effective as possible. We offer affordable auto repairs and usually have service and auto part specials available so you won’t burn a hole in your pocket, but we know that bringing our car into the shop can sometimes be a hassle. Our auto service techs at Toyota of N Charlotte have come up with a list of a few home auto repairs that you can take care of on your own time and from the comfort of your very own garage!

Auto repairs you can do in your garage: How to

Auto repair #1: Changing your tire.

While replacing your flat tire might seem difficult, it’s actually not too complicated. To begin, make sure your vehicle is parked on a flat, even surface and jack the car up. Make sure to place the jack in the spot your owner’s manual recommends so you don’t damage your car. Next, loosen the lug nuts on the tire you are trying to replace and take them all the way off to remove the tire. Put the new tire on, tighten the lug nuts back on, and jack the car back down to the ground.

Auto repair #2: Changing your oil.

Scheduling an oil change is part of your monthly maintenance checks, but there are ways for you to save a few dollars and do this auto repair on your own at home. You can purchase the right car maintenance tools for the job like an oil pan and a wrench to loosen the plug, as well as a fresh oil filter and clean oil before you begin. Make sure your vehicle is off and cool before you attempt to place the pan under the car and loosen the oil plug to let the dirty oil filter out. Replace the filter, screw the plug back in, and add the new, clean oil to the designated tank in the front bay.

Auto repair #3: Changing your windshield wipers.

You can save yourself a trip to the Charlotte Toyota auto service center by learning how to replace your wiper blades. You can even buy a new pair for your vehicle at Toyota of N Charlotte! All you need to do is lift your wipers up and away from your windshield, lift the tab to release the old blades, and pull them off. Next, slide the new blades on and push the tab back down to secure the blade in place.

Auto repair #4: Replace a dead lightbulb.

Driving with a burnt out headlight or taillight can cause you more trouble if you are given a ticket for it. Changing the lightbulb on your own is quick and easy! Go in through your engine compartment to access the headlight and take out the old bulb after you disconnect the power wires. Reconnect the wires to the new bulb and slide the new headlight into its place. If you need help with the wiring, our Charlotte Toyota techs can help!

Toyota of N Charlotte offers affordable auto service and repairs

If you want to leave your auto service needs to us, we would be more than happy to help! Contact Toyota of N Charlotte today to schedule an appointment at (704)659-2025 or visit us at 13429 Statesville Rd just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.

Signs that you need a tire replacement - tips from Toyota of N Charlotte

No one likes the thought of replacing their vehicle’s tires. It’s costly, it’s time consuming, and it’s just annoying overall. While this car maintenance project isn’t anyone’s favorite, it’s really important that you keep your tires in top shape for optimal safety. Without proper tires, your vehicle is going to struggle to get you where you need to go in a safe manner. Toyota of N Charlotte has accumulated all you need to know about your tires and when you need a tire replacement.

N Charlotte Toyota tips and signs for needing a tire replacement

Warning Sign #1: Irregular loss of tire pressure.

Tires deflate a little naturally, and over time you’re going to need to fill up the tires with some air. But if you’re noticing that they’re losing air irregularly, you’re probably going to need a set of new tires. Tires deflate at a rate of one pound per square inch every month. If your PSI loss is more than that, your tires should be checked for a leak by our N Charlotte Toyota service techs and might need a tire replacement.

Warning Sign #2: Overwhelming vibrations.

A little bit of vibration is normal while driving, especially when the road you’re driving on is bumpy. A tire that is out of balance will create vibrations or shakes that might become worse and your vehicle increases its speed. This could tell you that your tires are misaligned or that there is an issue inside the tire itself. You might need a tire replacement to fix this issue most of the time. Make sure to bring your N Charlotte Toyota vehicle in to be checked if the vibrations are not from your tires.

Warning Sign #3: Bulges and blisters.

Bulges and blisters start to show up on your tires when the outer surface is beginning to weaken. These could indicate that your tire might be at risk for a blow out. If you check your tires and see a bulge or blister, bring your vehicle to our Charlotte service center right away.

Warning Sign #4: Tread wear and tear:

This is the most common tire issue. The most common wear and tear patterns on your car tend to be center wear (caused by overinflation) and shoulder wear (caused by underinflation). Make sure you maintain your tires and keep them at proper inflation. If there is no longer any traction between your tires and the asphalt, you’ll definitely need a tire replacement so you don’t get a flat tire.

How to get your tire replacement in NC

If it’s time to replace your tires, there are a few things that Toyota of N Charlotte recommends for you and your vehicle. While it seems expensive, buying an entirely new set of tires and replacing all four at once can help you keep track of the overall wear and tear. The good news is that there are usually Toyota of Charlotte service specials when you buy all four tires.

If it’s time for some car maintenance and tire replacement, visit Toyota of N Charlotte! Our service techs are highly trained and experts on tires, thankfully! Visit us at 13429 Statesville RD just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville or call (704)659-2015 to book an appointment today!