10 Car maintenance terms you should know before scheduling service

 

Does the thought of scheduling car maintenance make you uneasy? If so, you're not alone - most people have a pretty general knowledge of what goes on under the hood, but the thought of leaving their car in someone else's hands makes them nervous. Will the repair bill be high? Will the car have to stay in the shop, leaving them stuck with a rental? We get it - the uncertainty can be uncomfortable. 

Common car maintenance terms to know

At Toyota of N Charlotte, we think the best way to handle this uncertainty is to educate yourself about what goes on during routine car maintenance... and the best way to start that process is to learn some of the most common car maintenance terms used at our Charlotte Toyota service center. Here's a list of 10 of them to get the ball rolling. 

1. Catalytic converter: Your catalytic converter is an essential part of your exhaust system. It converts toxic gases inside the system into less harmful emissions before they're released out into the air. 

2. Fuel pump: Your fuel pump is tasked with moving your fuel from the gas tank to the engine, where it's then ignited and used to get your car up and running. 

3. Oil filter: Your oil filter plays an important role in keeping your engine free of debris. It ensures that no dirt or debris makes it into your engine via the oil, where it can be abrasive and cause damage.

4. Alternator: Your alternator is responsible for giving you the get-up-and-go you need to get your car started - not only does it keep your car's battery charged, but it also runs the ignition and electrical systems in your N Charlotte Toyota. 

5. Air filter: Your air filter plays a role similar to that of your oil filter. It's part of your air intake system and prevents dirt and debris from being pulled into the engine. That's why it's so important to keep clean and replace when necessary. 

6. Dipstick: Your dipstick is the slender metal rod you use to check your engine oil level and quality. It reaches into the engine and when you pull it out, shows you how much oil you have in the reservoir as well as the quality of it and if it needs to be changed. 

7. OEM: OEM typically refers to car parts and it means Original Equipment Manufacturer. Basically, when you buy an OEM part you're buying a part that's been manufactured by the same automaker as your car - like Toyota parts for a Toyota car. 

8. Coolant: Coolant is the fluid that circulates through your engine and absorbs heat to keep it at a comfortable working level. 

9. Spark plug: The spark plugs in your car are used to ignite the fuel and air mixture - this ensures that your car starts and is ready to hit the road. 

10. Radiator: Your radiator is responsible for taking the aforementioned coolant and cooling it down. As the coolant circulates through the engine, it absorbs heat and can no longer effectively cool the engine. It's sent to the radiator, which absorbs the heat from the coolant and sends it back to the engine so it's ready to make another round. 

Schedule car maintenance for your car at Toyota of N Charlotte 

Have questions or want to get car maintenance on the calendar? Call Toyota of N Charlotte today! Our car maintenance center is open seven days a week at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.