Car care resolutions: The ones you should make for 2021

 When it comes to car care, are you at the top of your game? Believe it or not, taking the time to care for your car now can earn you some pretty decent money down the road. Keeping your vehicle in good shape means its resale value will be higher so when you trade it in or sell it, you'll get a lot more bang for your buck. And the good news? Now's the perfect time to set car care resolutions to make you a better car owner. Check out the five that our N Charlotte car care techs recommend you make for 2021! 

Five car care resolutions to consider for 2021

#1: Get on an oil change schedule. Oil changes (yup, here we go again) are absolutely critical for your vehicle. Oil keeps your car's engine lubricated and cool when it's working hard so it doesn't overheat or seize up, landing you with costly repairs. We recommend you get on a schedule for this car care but here's some good news - we can put you on said schedule AND send you reminders via phone or email when you're due to come into Toyota of N Charlotte. 

#2: Have someone teach you how to change a tire. If you got a flat tire, would you be able to handle it alone? You should learn how to change a tire for 2021 to prep yourself for roadside emergencies. We have step-by-step instructions that you can print out or screenshot and our N Charlotte Toyota service techs are always here to give you pointers. Also, remember to ensure that you always have a spare tire, a jack, a lug wrench, and a tire pressure gauge in the back of your car. 

#3: Start detailing your car monthly. Detailing your car isn't the funnest way to spend your afternoon, but if you want to keep your vehicle in good shape and get more money for it down the road, it's necessary. Every month (at least) you should wash and wax your vehicle. Be sure to wipe and vacuum the interior, emptying out any trash or clutter, and clean the glass with an appropriate cleaner. Shine the tires and you're on your way... and don't forget, you can get detailing supplies at Toyota of N Charlotte's auto parts store. 

#4: Learn how to jump-start a car. Do you know how to jump-start your car when your battery goes bad? It happens and if you don't know how to get your vehicle up and running again, you may have to pay for a tow. Use our step-by-step instructions and our knowledgeable car care techs to learn how to jump-start your car yourself and ensure that you always have jumper cables on hand. 

#5: Give your spare some attention on a regular basis. When's the last time you popped the trunk and checked out your spare? Give it a little TLC on a regular basis - a good rule of thumb is that every time you detail your car (which should be monthly, remember?) you check your spare to make sure it's in good physical condition and is inflated properly. You don't want to get stuck with a flat tire only to discover that your spare is flat, too. 

Toyota of N Charlotte can help make 2021 your best year yet

Have questions? Need a bit of assistance fulfilling your car care resolutions? Call us! Toyota of N Charlotte's car care center is open seven days a week at (704) 659-2025. You can also swing by to see us and get answers at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. 

Don't go through winter weather without reading these car care tips

 

Are you ready for winter? We get our fair share of winter weather here in Charlotte and not only do you need to adjust your driving style and habits, but you also need to adjust how you care for your car. Getting it prepped for winter weather is critical, but keeping it in good shape throughout the season is another thing altogether. Toyota of N Charlotte's auto service center is here with tips to help you handle winter weather like a pro. 

Winter weather: How you should care for your car on a daily basis 

Tip 1: Consider winter car tires. 

If you live in an area that sees some serious winter weather - like snow, ice, or sleet - you may want to consider swapping your all-season or summer tires for winter car tires. These tires are designed specifically for winter. They're made of a special rubber that doesn't get stiff in the cold - instead, it stays pliable to allow for better traction. They also have deeper grooves to funnel slush, water, and snow out of the way and grip the road better. 

Tip 2: Pay attention to the condition of your wipers. 

Your wipers are crucial for keeping your field of vision clear in winter weather so it's important that you take good care of them. Don't use them to clear frost or ice off the glass (this will pretty much shred the rubber) and if they seem like they're in bad condition, replace them ASAP. Additionally, if you're parking your car outside in winter weather, raise your wipers off the glass before you go inside so they don't freeze to the windshield. 

Tip 3: Keep your gas tank at least half full. 

Keep your car's gas tank at least half full during winter weather. You never know when you'll get stuck in traffic due to bad weather or a car accident ahead on the road and if you're not near a gas station, you could run out of fuel during the delay. This means no heat, which is bad news in the cold. Keep some fuel in the tank so you don't run the risk! 

Tip 4: Check your tire pressure (a lot). 

When winter weather is hanging around you should check your tire pressure at least once a week. Why? Because cold air makes your tires lose pressure. Tires that are underinflated don't grip the road as well as they should (which means you're more prone to lose traction and slide on ice and snow) and they also lower your fuel efficiency so you have to spend more money on gas. Additionally, underinflated car tires are more prone to blowouts AND wear out faster. 

Tip 5: Wax your car more than usual. 

Winter weather can really do a number on your car's paint. You should make sure to rinse your car daily if possible to get snow and salt off of it. Try to detail it every few weeks and when you do, apply a coat of quality wax. This will help provide a layer of protection between your car's paint and the outside elements, keeping salt and moisture at bay. Our Charlotte parts store can help you choose a good wax. 

Get your car prepped for winter at Toyota of N Charlotte 

Have questions or need to get your car prepped for winter weather? We've got everything you need at Toyota of N Charlotte. Call us today at (704) 659-2025 or stop by and see us! We're open seven days a week at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. 

Why does Toyota not offer an electric car in their lineup?

 

Have you ever looked at Toyota's lineup and wondered why it doesn't include an electric car? You're probably not the only one. With so many other automakers like Tesla, Nissan, Chevy, and more offering all-electric versions of vehicles, you'd think Toyota would be the leader of the pack considering how much research and development they've put into alternative fuel cars. However, that's just not the case and to this day, no electric car option is available. 

Toyota of N Charlotte talks electric cars (or the lack thereof)

We don't have a firm answer as to why Toyota isn't jumping into the electric vehicle ring, but we can speculate as to why they're not offering this particular type of alternative fuel vehicle. 

Reason #1: Been there, done that. 

Did you know that Toyota has actually already released an electric car to the general market? Yup - way back in the early 2010s, the Toyota RAV4 EV was an option for drivers who wanted to go green. This futuristic SUV was a collaboration between Tesla and Toyota and while it was ahead of its times, it was nowhere near electric cars today in terms of capabilities. It could only travel 100 miles at a time (before needing to be charged again) and had to travel at low speeds to achieve that range. It wasn't popular for that reason and was retired fairly quickly. 

Reason #2: The infrastructure just isn't there. 

Electric cars have to be charged - you can't just pull up to a gas station and fill up. Unfortunately, most of the country doesn't have the right infrastructure to offer a multitude of charging stations for drivers. This means drivers have to return home to charge or figure out a way to charge their vehicle at school or work if they're running low or have a long distance to drive. It's impractical and can be a deterrent for owning and operating an electric car. 

Reason #3: Hybrids have been vastly improved upon. 

Hybrids were introduced to drivers nearly 20 years ago (thanks again, Toyota) and have been vastly improved upon since then. Today they're incredibly eco-friendly and fuel-efficient, offer exceptional technology and are more affordable than electric cars. This makes them viable options for drivers who want to go green but also be economical. 

Reason #4: There are so many other options at Toyota of N Charlotte. 

Toyota may not have an electric car in its inventory, but it does have a ton of other alternative fuel options. You'll find 10 different hybrid models for sale at Toyota of N Charlotte as well as be able to consider the option of a hydrogen fuel call car, the Toyota Mirai. 

Shop alternative fuel vehicles today at Toyota of N Charlotte

Have questions or want to get shopping for an alternative fuel vehicle? Call Toyota of N Charlotte. We're open seven days a week at (704) 875-9199 and conveniently located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.