Recalls: What you should know when they happen to you

Has your car ever been subjected to a recall? It can be a little scary - after all, recalls are issued because of a problem with something in your vehicle. However, recalls are nothing to be alarmed about. Almost all automotive manufacturers issue them at one point or another, and they're issued so that the problem can be fixed before it impacts you and your passengers' safety or the other parts of your N Charlotte Toyota.

Why are vehicle recalls issued? 

Your vehicle and the standards it has to meet are regulated on a federal level, and when something falls below the standards that are set, the automotive manufacturer has to recall the vehicle to fix the issue, replace the part, etc. These recalls are done for a reason and you should never ignore them. A lot of car owners do, believe it or not, but this isn't the wisest course of action. Read on to find out how to handle car recalls with as little stress as possible with tips from our Charlotte auto service center.

First things first - if your N Charlotte Toyota is subject to a recall, then Toyota will send you a letter letting you know. The letter will include vital information like:

• A thorough description of the defect or issue in your vehicle
• Make and model information so you can confirm that you vehicle is affected 
• Why the defect is dangerous to you and hazardous to your car's performance 
• Warning signs to look out for regarding the defect 
• Specific plans from the manufacturer on how they will remedy the defect 
• Instructions on how to get your vehicle fixed and where to do it 

However, if you think your N Charlotte Toyota is subject to a recall and you haven't received a letter yet, you can always check yourself. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration keeps a record of all automotive recalls on their website, and you can enter your VIN number to see if you're going to need to schedule repairs. Additionally, this website has handy information regarding car seats, seatbelts, and other automotive safety equipment and issues.

How Toyota of N Charlotte can help with the process

So, what should you do if your car DOES have a recall? First, don't ignore it. Not only can it be dangerous to you and your passengers, but it can also break other components of your car if you don't fix the issue. Plus, recalls are free to fix - the automotive manufacturer that issues them will pay for labor and parts. However, you only have a specified amount of time to fix the defect and after that time period has elapsed, the manufacturer will no longer pay for it.

That's why you should schedule repairs right away. And Toyota of N Charlotte can help! If you have a recall on your car, call us. Our Charlotte Toyota service center can get you in for repairs and get you back on the road in no time. You can reach us seven days a week at (704) 659-2025!

Wheel Alignment vs Tire Balancing

Making sure your tires are functioning properly is crucial for car safety. Toyota of North Charlotte wants to ensure you and your vehicle's safety by helping you stay one step ahead of your car's maintenance. Two important auto services to consider when discussing vehicle safety is wheel alignment and tire balancing. Although these services sound similar and they’re often used interchangeably, they serve quite different purposes. Allow us to elaborate.

Wheel alignment

Contrary to major belief, wheel alignment is not an actual adjustment of the tires themselves, rather it is the alignment of the suspension system that connects the car to it’s wheels. This system is what keeps the car from swerving on its own while driving straight. A misalignment can occur over time from wear and tare or they can be caused by simply hitting an unavoidable object on the road. Whatever the problem, Toyota of North Charlotte is here to help! 

 Here are some warning signs that you might be due for a wheel alignment from our auto service department: 

• Your vehicle is pulling to either side while driving.
• You notice an uneven tread on your tires.
• You feel shaking on your steering wheel while driving.

An important thing to keep in mind is that, depending on your vehicle, you may only need the front two tires aligned, rather than all four. Double check with your trusted auto service provider, like Toyota of North Charlotte’s auto service department, on what type of alignment your car needs before you get the bill. 

Tire balancing

The most recommended auto service out there, tire balancing is crucial in car maintenance and functionality. Just as it sounds, tire balancing is the process of equalizing the total weight of your car’s tires for a smooth ride when traveling at high speeds. In order to ensure a perfect equilibrium, we at Toyota of North Charlotte use a tire balancing machine to center the wheel and map out where the weights need to go. A N Charlotte Toyota auto service technician then reads the machine’s recommendations and applies weights to the specified areas. Weights can be applied to either the exterior rim of the wheel (between the wheel and the tire) and on the wheel, behind the face of the N Charlotte Toyota rims.

Tires can become unbalanced from small imperfections in your tire’s rubber or from damage to the rims. In order to prevent further damage, here are some telltale signs that your tires are out of balance:

• You feel a vibrating of the steering wheel or car floor when driving at high speeds.
• You notice a decline in your car’s fuel economy.
• Your tire’s tread wears down faster than usual.

In order to keep your N Charlotte Toyota tires in tip top shape, it is recommended that each auto service is conducted simultaneously at an average of once a year. If you are having any doubts about your tire’s functioning properly or if you need either auto service performed, don’t hesitate to visit Toyota of North Charlotte today. We are located at 13429 Statesville Road and open seven days a week. 

Is a timing belt replacement a necessary repair?

Paying for auto repairs is never enjoyable. We get that - no one wants to shell out to fix something, especially as repairs can sometimes be on the pricey side. However, oftentimes when you put a repair off because you don't want to pay for it you can end up having to pay even MORE when that small repair breaks a lot of other things. A part that's notorious for this is your car's timing belt. Today our Charlotte auto service techs are here to talk to you about the timing belt, why it's important, and why you should never, ever delay getting it fixed.

Toyota of N Charlotte explains the timing belt

What is your timing belt? Basically, this auto part regulates the timing of everything under the hood. More specifically, it synchronizes the rotations of the crankshaft and camshaft so that your engine's valves can open and close at the right time. So you can imagine that when it breaks, it can be bad news for everything under the hood. Not only will you be out of a car for some time, but you also may have to shell out big bucks to have things fixed and get back out on the road.

To be more specific, if your timing belt breaks and you have a best-case scenario, your car will stall out and you'll need to replace the belt before you can go anywhere. Worst case scenario, the belt breaks and does serious damage to the valves, pistons, cylinder head, and engine block (which means big money in repairs and some major time in the shop). Either way, it's a major inconvenience to you and means more money that you'd have to pay if you had just replaced it in the first place.

Unfortunately, you WILL have to replace your car's timing belt at some point in the future. No matter how well you care for your ride, wear and tear will eventually wear the belt down, as will oil residue and debris in the engine. It can be expensive, too - it requires a lot of labor to remove the old belt, install the new one, and ensure that the new one is set to the right tension and synchronization to keep things moving under the hood.

Is it time to schedule this service at Toyota of N Charlotte? 

So how do you know if you need to schedule a timing belt replacement? Here are some surefire signs it's time to contact our Charlotte Toyota service center:

• Your engine is misfiring. This is due to the belt slipping and then shifting back into place. 
• Your engine won't turn over. If you turn the key in the ignition, you'll likely hear the starter engage, but if the timing belt is going bad then you may not be able to get the engine to ignite (i.e. start). 
• Your car stalls out. This is a sign that your belt needs to be replaced ASAP, if not immediately. 
• You hear a ticking noise coming from the engine bay. This is usually caused by the belt wearing out. 

Feel like it's time to schedule a timing belt replacement at Toyota of N Charlotte? Call us! We're open seven days a week at (704) 875-9199.

Trim your car ownership costs down for the new year

Car ownership isn't for the faint of heart. It can be expensive to own, maintain, and operate a vehicle, and you want to keep your car in the best shape possible so it lasts a long time and also holds value in case you want to sell it down the road. We've got good news, though - it's a new year and it's time to clean up your budget, so we have tips from our Charlotte Toyota service experts on how to cut down on car ownership costs and save money all year long. Check it out!

Learn how to trim your car ownership costs over time

Tip #1: Shop carefully for car insurance. 
Car insurance can be expensive, but it's also illegal to drive without it. Since it's a must-have, you should take your time shopping for the right coverage from the right company. Ask about student discounts for college and high school drivers, and also ask about discounts for bundling your auto insurance with your homeowner's or renter's insurance. Finally, make sure you tell them about every safety feature in your car - the safer your vehicle is, the more affordable it is to insure.

Tip #2: Get on a car care schedule now. 
Getting your car on a routine car maintenance schedule now can trim down car ownership costs. Sure, you'll have to pay for oil changes and tire rotations, but you'll also be able to avoid big, expensive repairs or a broken-down car in the future. Let our Charlotte auto service techs get you on a schedule for things like tune-ups, oil changes, coolant flushes, brake service, battery checks, tire rotations, and wheel alignments to save you big money in the future.

Tip #3: Enhance your fuel economy. 
A great way to lower car ownership costs is to improve fuel efficiency, and you don't have to buy a hybrid car to do it. Simple ways to boost your ride's fuel economy include getting rid of extra weight in the vehicle (aka clean out your trunk), using cruise control when it's appropriate, and avoiding slamming on the gas when you need to accelerate. Also, don't use premium gasoline unless your car specifically requires it - it's a waste of money otherwise.

Toyota of N Charlotte's best tips for saving money

Tip #4: Change your driving habits. 
Changing your driving habits can actually cut down on car ownership costs, believe it or not. Joining a carpool or consolidating errands into fewer trips will reduce the number of miles on your car, lower your fuel costs, and translate to less frequent Charlotte Toyota service appointments. You can also do things like looking for the most efficient route before you leave your house based on miles and traffic.

Want more tips? Think it's time to get your new ride on a maintenance schedule to save money? Call Toyota of N Charlotte today! We're open seven days a week at (704) 659-2025. We can get you and your car set to save money in the new year in no time.