5 auto services you don’t want to miss!

Getting your Toyota car serviced can easily go to the back of our minds and be forgotten. I mean… if you save $100 by skipping your monthly car maintenance then what’s the harm? Skipping a Charlotte Toyota auto service can actually harm your car in the long run… not to mention it can cost you big bucks down the line. It’s best to stay up-to-date with your car services so you can preserve the life of your car. At Toyota of N Charlotte, we know your car is important for you to get from point A to point B, so we have the best auto service technicians. 

Auto services to get!

#1 Oil change. 

Most Toyota cars recommend getting an oil change every 3,000 miles. This is a pretty easy auto service to remember since we have our handy dandy sticker on the driver’s side of the windshield. It’s good to get a Charlotte Toyota oil change because it keeps the moving parts of your car lubricated, and keeps your car in peak working condition. If you skimp on an oil change during your next car service, then it can create a lot of wear and tear on your engine. Your beautiful, golden oil will turn into a nasty sludge in your engine that will make your car perform super badly. Also, this could cause your car to break down!

#2 Engine air filter. 

Having your Charlotte Toyota engine air filter replaced tends to be forgotten and the last thing we think of. However, if you forgo having a new air filter put in, then your engine won’t have enough air going into the combustion chamber. If you decide to skip this frequently, then your engine can go kaput! 

#3 Car brake pads.

You should get these bad boys replaced every 40,000-50,000 miles. However, if you miss this Charlotte Toyota auto service, then it could lead to having to replace your calipers and rotors. This is a lot more expensive than replacing your car brake pads. Our expert auto service technicians can diagnose the problem and get your car working properly again! 

#4 Tire rotation. 

When you’re getting your oil changed, go ahead and opt to have your tires rotated. You’ll help preserve your tire life and your tires will wear evenly if you do this. Just keep in mind to bring your car to our auto service technicians every 7,500 miles for your tire rotation. 

#5 Timing belt. 

This is another Charlotte Toyota auto service that goes to the back of our mind sometimes. If you don’t get the timing belt replaced every 60,000-100,000 miles, then it could cause damage to your valves and pistons and can cause your crankshaft to break or warp! If that happens, then your whole engine will need to be replaced! That’s one expense you don’t want! 

Toyota of N Charlotte is here for you! 

Bring your car down to Toyota of N Charlotte today! Our auto service technicians can check your Toyota car out for you! Just call (704) 659-2025 and book an appointment today! 

How can heat affect your hybrid car battery?

 Summer in Charlotte can be tough for your car - hot temps affect it from the inside out. Heat makes your engine work harder not only to get you where you're going but also to stay cool while doing it; high temps can also damage and fade your car's interior as well as the exterior paint and finishes, especially plastic. However, one thing that hybrid car owners may not know (but should) is that heat can also do a number on their car battery and in turn, lower their fuel efficiency. 

Why is heat so bad for your N Charlotte Toyota hybrid? 

How, though? Here's a basic breakdown. Heat makes your battery work harder because - to put it simply - car batteries of ANY kind do not like heat. This is especially true for hybrid car batteries. Heat can cause them to bubble or bulge, which makes the electrolytes inside the battery evaporate. In turn, this causes your battery to be less efficient, not hold a charge properly, and negatively impact performance. Remember, the less energy a hybrid car battery can store, the less fuel-efficient it's going to be. So if your battery is suffering, so will your MPGs. Not only that, heat can wear a hybrid car battery out more quickly, leading to the need for a replacement sooner rather than later. And replacing a hybrid car battery is no joke - it can cost anywhere between $1,000 to $5,000 when all is said and done. 

So what can you do to ward off heat and protect your hybrid car battery this summer? Here are some Charlotte Toyota service tech tips straight from the source. 

Four ways to protect your hybrid car battery from the heat 

Tip #1: Park wisely. Choose your parking spot wisely when you're driving a hybrid car in the summertime heat. Covered parking is ideal; even a few shady trees can ward off the sun and keep things cooler for your car. When you're at home, parking your N Charlotte Toyota in a garage or under a carport can help ensure it doesn't get too hot. 

Tip #2: Keep your cabin cool. It seems weird that we're telling you to keep your car's cabin cool, we know. But in a lot of hybrid cars, the battery isn't located under the hood... it's actually under the back seats of the car. So the cooler you keep the cabin and the more you run the A/C, the cooler the battery will stay. 

Tip #3: Consider tint. You may want to also consider tinting your N Charlotte Toyota's windows to keep the temperatures inside the cabin down. This will also help protect your interior from fading; you might want to further consider buying a sunshade to put up in the windshield to block the sun and keep the interior cooler. 

Tip #4: Stay on top of routine maintenance. One of the best ways to prevent an issue with your hybrid car battery is to bring your car in for routine car care at Toyota of N Charlotte. Our techs will conduct a multi-point inspection and they'll be able to spot any problems that might be developing, which can cut down on expensive repairs down the road. 

Whether you need car care, think you have a hybrid car battery issues, or just need some answers, our Charlotte auto service center can help! Call Toyota of N Charlotte today at (704) 875-9199. 

6 signs you need to replace your car brake pads

Replacing your car brake pads is very important for the integrity of your brakes. If you wait too long it can be bad news for your brakes and cause even more damage. Not to mention it can be a lot more costly if you end up wearing out your rotors. You should have an auto service technician replace your car brake pads every 40,000-50,000 miles. Luckily, there are telltale signs that you’ll experience if your brakes start to get worn out. 

Funky noises that can mean bad news  

Sign #1 Squealing or squeaking coming from your brakes. 

If you’ve worn out your car brake pads past their lifespan, then you’ll hear a squealing noise when you hit your brakes. This is the first sign that you’ve waited way too long and need to run your Toyota of N Charlotte car over to our auto service technicians. They can get your car back into working order!

Sign #2 Vibrations when braking. 

If you’re driving along to work and notice that when you’re pumping the brakes your Toyota of N Charlotte car starts vibrating, then this is bad! The problem could be that your car brake pads are uneven and you need to have your brakes serviced. 

Sign #3 Grinding when braking. 

In some cars, a grinding noise can be an early indicator that you need to take your Toyota car into our auto service technicians to change your car brake pads. However, if you wait too long, then you will need to replace the rotors, which is very costly. 

Sign #4 Warning light comes on!

If you’re lucky, your Toyota of N Charlotte car will have a light that will show up on your dashboard. One light might be your antilock braking system (ABS) or the brake system light. It’s best to take your Toyota car to our expert auto service technicians to have it checked out. 

Sign #5 Car brake pads on the thin side.

An easy way to inspect your car brake pads is to visually inspect them. Look between the spokes of your wheels and you’ll see the brake pads. If you see that it’s less than 1/4-inch thick, then you should come on down to Toyota of N Charlotte and schedule a service! 

Sign #6 Longer time to stop. 

Also, another sign that you need to have your brakes inspected is when it’s taking longer to come to a complete stop. Your brake pads might be running thin or you might need more brake fluid. Sometimes a loss of brake fluid is caused by a leak, so it’s best to bring your Toyota of N Charlotte car into our auto service technicians to have a quick look! 

We’ve got you covered at Toyota of N Charlotte 

Our Toyota of N Charlotte auto service technicians can inspect your car and let you know what is the issue with your brakes promptly. Just call (704) 875-9199 to schedule a service today!

A quick guide to car wax

 When it comes to car detailing, applying a coat or two of a quality wax is one of the most important steps on the list of to-dos. Car wax protects your vehicle's paint from the exterior elements, keeps it looking like new, and also helps prevent big expenditures in the future. However, which type of wax should you be using for your ride? Toyota of N Charlotte's auto service experts are here with a quick guide to help you wade through the choices. 

Toyota of Orlando's breakdown

First, let's talk about the main options available to you when it comes to car wax - synthetic and natural. Here are the basics: 

• Synthetic wax is made from artificial ingredients. They're usually easier to apply than other waxes because of their consistency. They tend to last a fair amount of time and are pretty inexpensive, but they don't have the same glossy shine that you'll get with other natural waxes. 
• On the other end of the spectrum, natural waxes are made from natural ingredients. They offer great protection and a very glossy finish, which makes your car look brand-new again. However, the finish won't last as long as a synthetic wax and these car waxes do tend to be a bit more expensive. The most common one is carnauba, which is a wax made from a very specific palm tree that grows in Brazil. 

The five main categories of car waxes

After you've chosen a natural or synthetic wax, you'll have more choices to make - here's a quick outline of the five main categories of car waxes. 

Liquid wax: This type of car wax is the longest lasting and the most commonly used. It's almost always made from synthetic materials but while it comes out of the bottle smoothly, it can be tricky to apply because it dries so quickly. 

Paste wax: This type of wax has a hard, almost putty-like texture in the can - in fact, a lot of natural waxes can be found in paste form. It's been around for a long time and is another popular option because of its glossy finish and how water beads right off of it. However, they can be more expensive than synthetic options and don't have the longevity that a liquid wax does. 

Spray wax: Spray options are super easy to apply - especially if you just want the wax in one localized area - and they also leave a high gloss finish. However, they aren't a long-term solution and won't give you a lot of longevity. 

Colored wax: This type of car wax is popular for some and not so much for others. It's basically got a hue to it so it can hide scratches better, but many argue that most scratches don't go past the clear coat so you wouldn't need the color, anyway. 

Rubbing compound: This product can help hide small scratches and imperfections in the paint, which makes it a great option for classic car owners trying to get their rides looking like new again. 

Whether you need to shop for a car wax or have questions about the many types available, you can get everything you need at Toyota of N Charlotte! Visit us today at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. 

5 signs that it’s time for a wheel alignment

Did you know that you’re supposed to have a wheel alignment every 2-3 years? Having a regular wheel alignment will help your tires last longer, have better suspension, and improve your gas mileage! At Toyota of N Charlotte, we have the best auto service technicians to help get your car back in business. If you forget to have a wheel alignment, then you can look for the following signs. 

#1 Your Toyota car starts to pull. 

If you feel that your Toyota of N Charlotte car starts to pull to the left or right, then this is a huge warning sign! You shouldn’t have to constantly shift your steering wheel back toward the center while driving. 

#2 The steering wheel is off-center. 

If you notice that your Toyota car starts to get off-centered, then you should take your car into Toyota of N Charlotte to have our expert auto service technicians check it out for you! 

Those vibrations mean it’s time for a wheel alignment! 

#3 Car or steering wheel starts to shake. 

Another telltale sign is if your car or your steering wheel starts to shake. Yes, you heard that right… it can shake! However, the vibration or shaking could mean that something else, that is more serious, is wrong with your Toyota car. 

#4 Your tires wearing down. 

If your tires start to get worn down a lot faster than they used to, then it's time to take your car into the Toyota of N Charlotte auto service technicians for a wheel alignment. You should check your tires every day as part of your car inspection, and your tires should wear evenly on the inside and outside of the tire. You don’t want to drive down to the thread of the tire just because your car isn’t aligned. 

#5 Your Toyota car sharply pulls in one direction. 

While you’re driving, your car should stay in the center. However, if your car suddenly takes a sharp turn to the left or right, then you should get your car realigned ASAP. This will also help you stay car accident-free and keep your car in tip-top condition. 

It’s so important to get regular wheel alignments on your Toyota of N Charlotte car. It’s normal to go over bumps and cracks and to slowly have debris change your tire angles. Also, if you happen to go over large potholes, objects on the road that shouldn’t be there, or even get into a car accident then your suspension will get out of alignment. Not to mention, you could damage other parts on your pretty, little Toyota car. 

Come see us at Toyota of N Charlotte! 

Our Toyota of N Charlotte auto service technicians can check out and fix your wheel alignment today! We have the best people here that care about the integrity of your car. Book an appointment today and come see us at 13429 Statesville Road. Just take exit 23 off I-77 in Huntersville!