What does a brake replacement entail?

When was the last time you had car brake service? If you can't name it off the top of your head, it may be time to schedule service at our Charlotte Toyota service center. In fact, you may even be due for a car brake replacement. However, don't let the name psych you out - our Charlotte auto service techs are here to tell you exactly what a brake replacement entails and what you can expect when you bring your car in for this important service appointment. 

What's in your car's braking system? 

To get you more comfortable with the idea of a brake replacement, our Charlotte auto service techs are first going to break down the car brake system so you have a sense of direction when it comes to all the pieces and parts. 

Brake pads: The brake pads are slim pads that create friction against the rotor when you brake, bringing you to a stop. 

Calipers: The calipers are the pieces in your car brake system that hold the brake pads in place so they can do their job. 

Rotors: Rotors are large discs that your brake pads move against to create friction and bring your car to a stop. 

Brake lines and fluid: Your brake lines connect your main braking assembly to the brake pedal and brake fluid helps to keep the entire system working properly. 

What happens when you get a brake replacement 

You'll know when you're due for a car brake replacement at our Charlotte Toyota service center. Giveaway signs include squealing noises, the smell of burning carpet, shuddering or shaking when you hit the brake pedal, and your brake warning light coming on in the dash. It's important to handle brake service and replacements as quickly as possible, as irreversible and expensive damage can be done to the system if you don't. During brake replacement, our Charlotte car care techs will:

• Thoroughly inspect the brake system and main assembly to troubleshoot and see if there are any issues developing with any of the parts. 
• Check your calipers. If they're in good shape, our techs will lubricate them and move on. They may need to be sanded down to remove dust and debris, however, and if they're in bad shape, you may need to replace them. 
• Check your brake pads. If they're too thin, our Charlotte car care experts will replace them so you have full stopping power on your side. 
• Check your rotors. Rotors don't require a lot of maintenance, but it's worth having them checked to ensure they haven't been damaged at all. 
• Inspect your brake lines and brake fluid. Our techs will ensure you have enough brake fluid and also that your lines don't need to be flushed. 

Have questions or need car brake service? Call Toyota of N Charlotte today. We're open seven days a week for your convenience at (704) 659-2025! 

Stay cool all season long with these summer car care tips

Summer is a great season in the state of NC - it's the perfect time to hit the beach, get out and hike the trails you've been eyeing since spring arrived, and cool off at the lake. Summer, however, can also mean intense heat and high humidity, neither of which is good for your car OR your driving experience. Toyota of N Charlotte is here to help - our expert auto service techs have summer car care tips on how to stay cool behind the wheel all season long. 

4 car care tips to stay cool this summer 

Tip #1: Be strategic about your parking spots. 

It can really make a difference in the interior temperature of your car if you're careful about where you park. Parking in a home garage or parking garage is best, but a carport or covered parking can keep the sun off your car and help keep things cooler inside. Even a shady spot under a tree can make a difference when it comes to keeping your N Charlotte Toyota cooler! 

Tip #2: Cool down your car quickly. 

Have you ever opened the driver's door to your car after a hot summer day and felt that blast of hot air escape, kind of like an oven? It's not a good feeling, especially when you know you have to get into the driver's seat. Our car care experts have tips to cool things off quickly, though. First of all, open all the doors of the vehicle for a minute or two to let hot air out. Next, close the doors but roll down the windows and blast the A/C so hot air gets pushed out and cool air starts to circulate. Finally, close the windows to seal the cold air in, and hit the road. 

Tip #3: Shield the interior from the sun. 

It really helps if you can shield your car's interior from the sun to keep the inside of it cool. A few car care experts highly recommend getting a sunshade for the interior of your N Charlotte Toyota, and window tinting can make a big difference. It's also recommended that you at least cover your steering wheel with a towel or turn it 180 degrees when you park so it's not too hot to hold when you first get into the car. 

Tip #4: Take care of your air. 

It's important to maintain your A/C carefully all year so you can use it when you need it most. Our Charlotte car care experts recommend scheduling A/C service at the recommended intervals and if you notice any problems, bring your car in right away to have it fixed. 

Toyota of N Charlotte can handle all of your summer car care needs 

Want more tips? Call Toyota of N Charlotte's car care center today at (704) 659-2025. We're here and waiting to get you back on the road and stay cool all summer long. 

Auto glass repair: Everything you need to know

When you sustain damage to your auto glass, it can be a pretty serious issue. After all, your auto glass is responsible for protecting you and your passengers from the elements, debris - you name it. Basically, it keeps the outside, outside so you can safely hit the highway again and again. Even if the damage is a small crack or chip, anything that weakens the structural integrity of your auto glass can be a big deal down the road. 

Toyota of N Charlotte explains auto glass  

Toyota of North Charlotte's Collision Center is here for all of your auto glass repair needs, and we're also here to give you the ins and outs of this very important performance element. Let's get started! 

Let's talk about auto glass damage, first. It can happen pretty easily, unfortunately. All it takes is one rock flying up off the highway or getting into a fender bender to cause damage to your N Charlotte Toyota's windows or windshield. And while a small chip or crack may not seem like a big deal, like we mentioned before it can weaken the structural integrity of your vehicle's glass and make it dangerous for you to be behind the wheel. Plus, the damage can quickly become worse if the wind, pressure, road conditions, etc. exacerbate it (which is likely). 

Do you need auto glass repairs or replacement? 

Luckily, taking care of auto glass repairs isn't a huge hassle (especially with the help of our Charlotte auto body shop). You'll likely need either a repair or a replacement - here's a quick guide on which you'll need to consider when it comes time to get repairs. 

• If the damage is smaller than a quarter and doesn't have cracks extending out from it, you'll likely be able to get away with an auto glass repair. However, this may leave a blemish on the glass. Be sure to ask whoever is doing the repairs about residual blemishes and if that bothers you, consider doing a replacement instead. 
• If the damage is bigger than a quarter, on the other hand, or has cracks extending out from it, you may likely need a glass replacement. This is because the damage has weakened the glass too much, and it's at risk of blowing in given the right conditions. 

So, what should you do when you need auto glass repairs? The first step our Charlotte Toyota Collision Center recommends taking is contacting your insurance company. You'll likely have to pay toward a deductible to get the repairs done, but you should definitely file a claim so you can count the repairs toward your yearly total. Auto glass repairs can be $100+ while a full replacement can run upwards of $400. 

Ready to schedule Charlotte auto glass repairs? Contact us at (704) 659-2025 today. Toyota of N Charlotte is here and ready to get you back on the road! 

Toyota of N Charlotte explains ceramic coating

Have you ever considered putting ceramic coating on your car? If you've never heard of this product before, Toyota of N Charlotte is here to explain. 

Owning a car is a lot of responsibility, and we're not just talking about caring for everything under the hood. An integral part of car care and keeping your car's resale value high is caring for its exterior - namely, its paint. Washing, waxing, car detailing, and keeping the car paint protected from the elements requires a fair amount of time, money, and elbow grease. However, there may be a better solution for your needs - ceramic coating. 

What is this car detailing product? 

What is ceramic coating? Basically, it's a prime type of wax. This product is a liquid polymer that, when applied to your car by our expert Charlotte body shop techs, chemically bonds with the paint. It has to be applied by hand to ensure an even coat because once bonded with the paint, it's difficult to remove (for example, it won't come off when you wash your car). 

What are the benefits of ceramic coating? 

So what are the benefits of applying ceramic coating to your N Charlotte Toyota? Here are the top perks that our Charlotte body shop techs notice after utilizing this unique product. 

Your car is more protected. 

Ceramic coating offers superior protection to your vehicle's paint - superior even to high-quality car wax. It repels moisture, first of all, which protects your paint and also helps to prevent rust. It also helps protect the paint from chemical staining, as well as oxidization and fading caused by the sun's UV rays. It can even assist in preventing small scratches and chips in the paint from road debris in some circumstances. 

Your car will look newer. 

Ceramic coating doesn't just offer protection to your car's paint; it can actually make it look even newer. It adds high gloss to your paint, which means it looks newer and shinier all year round. 

Your car will be a lot easier to clean. 

We mentioned that ceramic coating repels water - this will come to your aid when you're cleaning your car (because despite applying this product, you'll still have to wash your car - sorry). This product causes water to bead up and slide off, which means dirt, grime, and mud will do the same. You won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get your car sparkling clean again. 

If you think you're ready for ceramic coating, give us a call! We're open and ready to help at our Charlotte Toyota Collision Center. You can reach us at (704) 659-2040, or stop by and talk with our techs. We're conveniently located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville at 13429 Statesville Road!