Car maintenance tips you’ll need to know to increase your car’s lifespan

When purchasing a new car, one thing that’s always going to cross your mind is how long this vehicle is going to last. Should you use premium gas? Higher-grade oil? No one is really sure. Luckily for you, Toyota of N Charlotte auto service team has come up with some of the best car maintenance tips you’ll need to pocket in order to avoid rapid wear and tear.

Easy car maintenance tips you’ll need to increase your N Charlotte Toyota’s lifespan

Tip #1: Buy gas at a reputable gas station

It’s really important to make sure you’re not fueling up your vehicle with gas that’s going to damage your engine. Ask the store clerk if the gas pump filters have been changed out recently and what their specific policy is on their filters. There are, however, some gas stations that don’t have any filters at all. This will increase your chances of filling up your vehicle with dirty or watered down fuel which can significantly decrease your N Charlotte Toyota’s lifespan. Fill up your tank with good, high-quality gas. Your fuel efficiency will increase, too!

Tip #2: Make sure your vehicle is equipped with enough brake fluid.

Make sure to check your vehicle’s fluids regularly - especially your brake fluid. If your bay is empty, add the recommended type located in your owner’s manual. Make sure not to use brake fluid that has already been opened. Once the fluid is exposed to air, brake fluid absorbs moisture and will accumulate contaminants easily. If you’re not sure how to replace your fluids, bring your car into our dealership for a car maintenance appointment. Your vehicle lifespan will increase as long as this fluid is replaced regularly. 

Tip #3: Lighten up your keychain.

If your keychain is weighing down your purse or pocket, chances are it’s also weighing down your ignition, as well! The heavy weight from your keys can wear out the tumblers inside the ignition and lead to switch failure. A lightweight keychain will help increase your N Charlotte Toyota's lifespan by keeping your ignition intact. If you notice your key sticking when you turn on the car, it’s most likely trying to tell you that your switch is about to fail. Bring your vehicle in for some car maintenance right away if this happens.

Tip #4: Fix small windshield chips and cracks ASAP.

If your windshield is even slightly chipped or cracked, you need to get it filled or replaced right away. Even small ones can get bigger or crack completely if they’re hit again. It’s important to bring in your vehicle to our Toyota of N Charlotte body shop for a replacement. Getting your windshield fixed will also save you the trouble of having to pay for a citation. 

Tip #5: Inspect your splash guards.

Your splash guards are necessary for car maintenance and keeping your engine in good working condition. Your splash guards help keep water and other debris from getting into the engine compartment where there can be damage done to the electrical mechanisms inside. You should replace cracked or broken guards to ensure your engine will not be bothered by water, debris, and mud.

Need to schedule a car maintenance appointment? Contact the Toyota of N Charlotte auto service center today!

If you need help maintaining your N Charlotte Toyota, contact our Toyota of N Charlotte auto repairs team to schedule a car maintenance check. Call us at (704)659-2025 or visit our dealership at 13429 Statesville Rd just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.

How to maintain your car battery - car maintenance tips from Toyota of N Charlotte

Your car battery has the responsibility of storing the energy needed to start your North Charlotte Toyota. Once the car engine starts, the alternator begins to recharge the battery for the next time it needs to start. Your regular car maintenance checks shouldn’t only include all of the mechanical portions of your vehicle, but the electrical ones too! This includes cleaning the battery of any and all debris, keeping all of the connections clean, and making sure the battery is secured in its place. Luckily, our Charlotte auto service techs have come up with tips on car battery maintenance just for you!

4 Car battery warning signs that are letting you know you need some car maintenance 

1. It takes awhile for your engine to crank.

When you try to start your vehicle, trying to turn on your engine will be sluggish and take longer than usual to start. 

      

      2. Your vehicle headlights are dim.

If your car battery is failing on you, there isn’t going to be enough juice to power all of the electrical mechanisms in your vehicle - such as your headlights. If you realize that it’s becoming increasingly harder to see the road at night, it’s time to check your Toyota of N Charlotte vehicle’s battery.

      

      3.  Needing to press your gas pedal to start the car.

It’s unusual to need to give your car some gas in order for it to start. If you notice that your North Charlotte Toyota is only starting after pressing the gas pedal, your car battery might be failing on you. 

      4. Your vehicle starts backfiring. 

This sign is the most obvious. When your car battery starts to fail, it can cause intermittent sparks to emit from your vehicle. These sparks can lead to the accumulation of fuel in your car’s cylinders. Ignited fuel can cause your car to backfire - this can be very dangerous! If you notice any backfiring, visit our Toyota of N Charlotte auto service center to schedule a car maintenance appointment and get a car battery replacement right away!

5 car maintenance tips you can use to avoid these car battery issues in your N Charlotte Toyota

     1. Avoid leaving your car lights on for a long period of time with the engine off. 

Leaving any or all of your car lights on while the car engine is off will drain your vehicle’s battery. This issue can usually be fixed by a car jump or recharge, but leaving your lights on consistently can damage the battery entirely. 

     2. Drive your vehicle as regularly as often as you can.

Powering up your vehicle and driving it around keeps your battery well-charged. If your car is going to be out of use for longer than a few weeks, it’s important to remember to disconnect your battery console until it’s time to drive again. 

     3. Keep your N Charlotte Toyota’s battery casing clean. 

Dirt, debris, and moisture can cause your car battery to lose its charge. To avoid this issue, make sure to check the case and terminals. If you start noticing any corrosion and rusting on your terminals, clean it off right away. If you’re not sure how to do this on your own, contact one of our Charlotte auto service techs for car maintenance help.

     4.  Park somewhere warm and out of extreme temperatures in the winter. 

Extreme cold can damage your vehicle’s battery over time. To avoid this, park your vehicle inside of you garage, if possible, to avoid a shortened battery lifespan.

     5. Replace your battery every three to four years. 

On average, your car battery can last up to three years. This heavily depends on driving conditions and weather. Take the time to bring your car into our Toyota of N Charlotte dealership to get regular car maintenance checks.

Need to schedule a car maintenance appointment with us? Call one of our auto service techs here at Toyota of N Charlotte at (704) 659-2025 or visit our dealership located at  13429 Statesville Rd just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.

6 warning signs telling you to get steering wheel car maintenance

It’s easy to tell when your steering wheel is going to cause you to need some car maintenance. Unlike some of the other minor issues you can experience with your vehicle, it isn’t safe to put off an issue with your vehicle’s steering wheel. Regardless of what the main cause is - whether it’s your tires or a fluid leak - Toyota of N Charlotte has gathered up some of the warning signs you need to make note of when your wheel starts acting up.

Odd steering wheel warning signs to look for in your N Charlotte Toyota 

Your steering wheel should be included in your regularly scheduled car maintenance checks even if your wheel is acting just fine. Over time, mechanisms in your vehicle will need some maintenance and that includes your steering wheel! Luckily, if any steering wheel issues arise, they are quick and easy to fix. Here are some of the warning signs we’ve collected so you’ll know when to bring your vehicle in for some repairs. 

Warning sign #1: Trouble turning the wheel in any direction.

If your wheel is stuck and doesn’t want to move or you’re just having trouble turning, you might want to check and see if the fluid canister is empty. If it is, you’re going to need to fill it up as soon as possible. Check under your N Charlotte Toyota periodically to make sure your vehicle isn’t experiencing a fluid leak. Contact one of our Toyota of N Charlotte auto service techs to run diagnostics and perform some car maintenance checks. 

Warning sign #2: A vibrating wheel.

If your steering wheel starts to shake, and it’s not due to off-roading, stop and pull over as soon as you can. While it’s just plain annoying to drive with a shaky steering wheel, this can actually indicate an issue with wheel alignment or power steering.Because of the influx of contaminants in the steering system, you’re going to need to use a flush to unlodge any buildup. At this point, your vehicle is going to need car maintenance right away. 

Warning sign #3: Excessing play when you steer.

This issue happens when there is extra movement in the steering wheel but not much is going on with the front tires. For this sign, there is a lack of response and movement in the wheel which makes it difficult to steer accurately and control where your vehicle is going. This can be caused by a loose steering gear, worn ball joints, or a loose wheel bearing. This can be very dangerous, especially when you are out on the road, so make sure you bring your vehicle in to Toyota of N Charlotte to be looked at right away.

Warning sign #4: The wheel bounces at high speeds or when you brake.

This sign is a little tricky because it can mean a number of things, but most of the time, it’s caused by your tires. It’s possible that your wheels might be out of balance, unevenly worn out, or not inflated correctly. It’s also possible that your tires have some loose bolts or there’s an issue with your N Charlotte Toyota’s brakes. It’s time to schedule a car maintenance appointment right away.

Warning sign #5: Vehicle pulls to one side when driving.

This sign means there’s an issue with a worn out steering gear. The wear and tear of this gear can be caused by a lack of lubrication from the power steering fluid in the car. You should pull over and check under the car for leaks and contact a Toyota of N Charlotte auto service tech.

Warning sign #6: Grinding or screeching noises when moving the wheel.

These sounds are often caused by a loose or worn-out steering belt. This part connects the power steering pump to the engine and this noise in indicative of a low amount of power steering fluid.

Need to schedule a car maintenance appointment for your steering wheel issues? Call Toyota of N Charlotte today!

If you’re experiencing any of the issues listed above or any other worrisome sings, call Toyota of N Charlotte today to schedule some car maintenance at (704)659-2025 or visit us at 13429 Statesville Rd just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.