Get better fuel efficiency with these five tips

 Are you sick of shelling out at the pump? We get it - it's expensive enough to own and operate a car, and it certainly doesn't help when fuel prices start to climb like they are right now. Luckily, there are simple ways to trim down your budget without having to make too much of an effort. One of them is to improve your fuel efficiency, and our Charlotte auto service techs are here to give you their top five tips to make it happen. 

Five simple ways to boost your fuel efficiency

Tip #1: Use cruise control when you can. Did you know that using cruise control can actually improve your fuel efficiency in a big way? When you put this feature into play, your car maintains a constant speed until you tell it not to. This helps to make the most of the fuel you have without burning extra. (It also makes your drive time more relaxing.) However, be sure to use it when it's appropriate. It's not really safe to use it when driving at night, and you definitely want to avoid it in bad weather or congested traffic. Really, you should only use cruise control when you're on the highway and can maintain a constant speed. 

Tip #2: Stop driving aggressively. Stop driving like a maniac. No, seriously. The more aggressively you drive, the more fuel you're going to use. If you want to boost your fuel efficiency, then you should try to accelerate and brake smoothly, as well as refrain from speeding and weaving in traffic. When you put the pedal to the metal, you burn more fuel. 

Tip #3: Consolidate your trips. When you have to run errands, try to consolidate your trips. The fewer trips you're out and about, the less fuel you'll use! Try not to backtrack, streamline your errands, and take the most direct route to your final destination to get better fuel efficiency in your N Charlotte Toyota. 

Tip #4: Don't idle if you can help it. Idling - sitting with your car running but not moving - uses up unnecessary fuel. This is especially true if you're running your air-conditioning or other electronics. Sometimes you can't help it (like if you're waiting at a stoplight, etc.) but if you're just hanging out in your car, roll the windows down and turn the engine off to conserve fuel. (This is why N Charlotte Toyota hybrids turn off when they idle - to conserve fuel and cut down on emissions.) 

Tip #5: Follow the speed limit. Not only will following the speed limit prevent you from getting a speeding ticket (or worse), it can also help you maximize your fuel efficiency. Your car actually gets the best fuel economy at around 50 mph, so keep that in mind next time you hit the road. It's in your best interest to drive at the speed limit or even a few miles below it. 

Toyota of N Charlotte wants to help you budget better

Have questions or want more tips? We can help! Call us today at (704) 875-9199 or stop by. Toyota of N Charlotte is located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville at 13429 Statesville Road. 

How to navigate your car owner's manual

 When was the last time you did a little light reading with your car owner's manual? Chances are... never. Not many people actually dig this manual out of their glovebox even once over the duration of car ownership. However, it can come in handy and Toyota of N Charlotte is here with tips on how to utilize it to keep yourself safe and your car in the best condition possible. (After all, Google doesn't ALWAYS have the answers.) 

What's actually in your car owner's manual? 

Your car owner's manual was written for YOUR car - it's specific to the make, model, and trim-level that you currently have parked in the driveway. You can't substitute a different vehicle's manual for your own; this can actually cause damage to your car. Your manual includes tons of information about your vehicle, and here are the basics of what you'll find. 

1. Your recommended maintenance schedule 

This is where you can get all the info you need about keeping your N Charlotte Toyota on a routine service schedule. Your manual will give you the ins and outs of when you need auto services like oil changes, tire rotations, tuneups, and more. This schedule maximizes performance and minimizes wear, tear, and repairs, so be sure to stick to it. 

2. How to DIY certain maintenance items and repairs 

Believe it or not, your car owner's manual also gives you info on how to DIY certain car care. You can learn how to check and change your oil, check and fill your tires, add fluids, and change burnt-out lightbulbs. This cuts down on cost and also makes you feel more accomplished when it comes to car ownership. 

3. The type of fluids you need in your vehicle 

This handy book also tells you which specific fluids you should be using in your car. Your car requires a specific type of motor oil, gasoline, coolant, brake fluid, etc. and if you use the wrong one, you could be doing yourself a disservice at best and causing major damage at worst. Find out what your ride requires before you do any auto service. 

But that's not all. Your car owner's manual also gives you other vital information about your N Charlotte Toyota, including: 

• How to troubleshoot issues 
• How to drive more safely 
• What the different dashboard lights mean 
• Tips for car detailing both inside and out 

And information about any warranties that your car may come with. 

Let Toyota of N Charlotte help you make sense of your car care 

We can help you navigate your car owner's manual today - just stop by and see us! Toyota of N Charlotte is open seven days a week at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. 

Car insurance: What you should know

 Car ownership - as rewarding as it is - also requires an awful lot of adulting on your part. You have to make sure you drive responsibly, stay on a routine car care schedule for your vehicle, make your monthly payments on time, AND ensure that you have car insurance coverage for when you hit the open road. It can be a little overwhelming, and that's why here at Toyota of N Charlotte, we do our best to not only help you through ownership, but also give you the information you need to make educated decisions. Today, we're talking about car insurance. 

Why is car insurance so necessary? 

Car insurance is an absolute necessity when you get behind the wheel. In fact, it's illegal to drive without it and you can find yourself in heaps of trouble if you get caught. Why? Because it covers you in an accident (and in some instances, covers the other driver, too). If you were to get into a car accident without insurance, you would have to pay for all of your auto repairs AND personal medical bills out of pocket. This can lead to incredibly high expenses. On the other hand, your car insurance will cover most of these expenses after a deductible. 

So, what should you expect when it's time to sign up for car insurance (which you should do at your time of purchase or lease)? First, think about your premium and how often you want to pay for it. Most car insurance companies offer monthly, biannual, and annual payment options. If you pay bi-annually or annually, you'll have to pay a larger payment, but you might also be eligible for a discount from the company (so make sure you ask). If you pay monthly, your payments will be smaller and more manageable. 

Toyota of N Charlotte breaks down your policy 

You'll also want to think about your policy and the types of coverage it'll offer. There are several different categories in a car insurance policy, including: 

• Collision, which covers your auto repair bills when you get into a car accident. 
• Personal Injury Protection, which covers your personal medical bills if you get injured in an accident or collision. 
• Bodily Injury and Personal Liability, which covers the auto repairs and medical bills of the OTHER driver in an accident if you're found to be at fault for the accident. 
• Comprehensive, which covers a variety of other things outside the scope of a car accident. This policy includes coverage for things like natural disasters, hit-and-run accidents (where there's no other insurance to pay for things but yours), and in some states, repairing or replacing your car windshield should it break. 

We know it's a lot to think about, but our N Charlotte Toyota dealership is always here to give advice and help you choose the right coverage for your ride. Call us today at (704) 875-9199 or stop by! We're conveniently located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville at 13429 Statesville Road. 

Why you should never ignore your car tire pressure warning light

 No one likes to see those warning lights illuminate in their dashboard. What could possibly be wrong, how long will it take to fix, and how much is it going to cost you? We get it, but we also need to emphasize that you should never ignore them. Acting like they haven't turned on can lead to bigger and costlier issues down the road and leave you in a much worse situation than what you started in. Toyota of North Charlotte is here to discuss one warning light in particular today - the tire pressure warning light. 

What does it mean when your tire pressure light illuminates? 

When this warning light turns on, it means that one (or more) of your tires is underinflated and not at the correct PSI for maximum performance and safety. And while that may not seem like a big deal - after all, it's not flat, right? - it can actually give you quite a bit of trouble if you don't address the issue at hand. If you ignore your tire pressure warning light, you could face problems like: 

• Your car tires will start to wear unevenly. If your tire(s) is underinflated, more of it is touching the ground (it has more surface area because the PSI is too low). This causes more wear and tear on more of the tire and in turn, makes the car tire wear out more quickly. On top of that, when one tire is off balance it can throw everything out of whack. This means your other tires can also experience uneven wear, which means you'll have to replace all of them sooner (and that's not cheap). 
• Your fuel efficiency will drop, costing you more money. Another side effect of your car tire pressure being too low is that your fuel efficiency suffers. When your car tires aren't at the right PSI, your fuel economy will take a nosedive. This means you'll be shelling out more often at the gas pump until you remedy the issue. 
• You'll be more prone to a flat tire or worse - a blowout. When your car tires are underinflated, it also increases your risk of a flat tire or blowout. While a flat tire may seem like an annoying inconvenience (and it is, trust us), and tire blowout can be dangerous. If you're driving at high speeds and experience a blowout, then you could lose control of your vehicle and end up in a collision. 

Why risk it? Getting your car tires back to the right PSI is fast and easy - all you have to do is pull up to the gas station and fill them up using the air hose. And if you're not comfortable doing it yourself, Toyota of N Charlotte can always help - our techs can get your tires back to the right PSI in no time and get you back on the road. 

Get your car tires back into the best shape with Toyota of North Charlotte 

Schedule car tire service with us today! Toyota of N Charlotte's service center is located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville at 13429 Statesville Road. You can also call ahead of time to schedule your appointment at (704) 659-2025 or schedule online. 

Toyota of N Charlotte tips for highway car emergencies

 Have you ever found yourself in a roadside emergency? If so, you know how just anxiety-inducing it can be. And if you've ever had a car emergency on the highway, you know just how much MORE stressful the situation gets. Toyota of N Charlotte is here with helpful tips to get you through it - learn how to deal with a car emergency on the highway as quickly and efficiently as possible with these easy tips. 

Three tips for dealing with a highway car emergency

Tip #1: Get off the road. 

The first thing you should do in a car emergency on the highway is get off the road. You never want to leave your car in a traffic lane on the highway unless it's absolutely impossible for you to find a shoulder or exit (like if you have a car fire). If you can make it to the nearest exit, go for it. If not, then look for a space on the shoulder that's flat and far away from the road so you can avoid being struck by another car. 

If you have to change a car tire, you want to also try to find a spot that's free of sand and mud. These conditions are extremely dangerous to change a tire in - the sand or mud can shift, moving the jack while you're working. 

Once you've parked, make sure you apply your emergency brake and turn your front wheels away from the road. That way, if a car does hit you, you'll be pushed further off the road instead of onto the road (and into traffic). 

Tip #2: Make yourself visible. 

You should also make yourself as visible as possible when you're having a car emergency on the highway. This means turning your hazard lights on and using those road flares or hazard triangles that you have in your emergency roadside kit. If you're in a real bind, call the police - they can turn their lights on for you and give you added visibility even if they can't help you get your car up and running again. 

Tip #3: Call for help. 

Finally, call for help. You can either call roadside assistance to get you back up and running after a car emergency or call for a tow truck to bring you to your mechanic of choice. Never just leave your car on the side of the highway - make sure it's accounted for before you head out. 

Toyota of N Charlotte can get your car back on the road 

Need repairs after a car emergency? Toyota of N Charlotte is always here to help. Call our Charlotte auto service center at (704) 659-2025 or have your car towed to 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.