4 road hazards to be on the lookout for this summer

Summer is still in full swing at Toyota of N Charlotte. Summertime means that you need to be more aware of road hazards that are in your way when driving. Road hazards can make your commute less enjoyable than it already is. You’ll need to drive with more caution than usual due to more traffic on the road, construction, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Toyota of N Charlotte is here with some great tips on what to be on the lookout for this summer. 

Road hazards to avoid 

#1 Watch out for construction! 

We all know construction picks up in the summer and can make driving very confusing with the detours you might have to take. It’s good practice to be prepared ahead of time and check the map for any detours that you might come in contact with. To be extra safe in those construction zones, you should practice the following. 

• Follow what all of the road signs are saying. 
• You might have to drive slower than normal, so be sure to allow yourself some extra time in the morning. 
• Have a backup route just in case there are some road hazards in your path. 
  

#2 Be on the lookout for motorcycles. 

Motorcycles are so tiny and can be very easy to miss when changing lanes. However, it’s super important to double-check so you don’t get into a car accident by clipping them. It’s very easy to underestimate the speed that a motorcycle is going. At Toyota of N Charlotte, we recommend having more space in front of you than you normally would so that a car accident doesn’t occur. 

#3 Bicyclists. 

At Toyota of N Charlotte, we know that bicyclists tend to be a road hazard for other drivers. Since they share the road with cars, it can be very easy to clip them while driving. Don’t drive too close on the edge of the lines, and always check for bicyclists when turning right or when you open your Toyota door. Also, be sure to have at least three feet of space between your Toyota car and the bicyclists. 

#4 Pedestrians that aren’t paying attention. 

When it begins heating up outside, it brings more pedestrians out on the road. It’s important to pay even more attention than usual and be sure that there aren’t any road hazards. Toyota of N Charlotte recommends the following. 

• Pay attention to crosswalks.
• Defensive driving. 
• Double-check for pedestrians before driving, even if you have the green light. 
• Also, you can never be too careful when it comes to pedestrians. Pedestrians can get distracted by looking at their phones, so it’s your duty to look twice. 

Come see us at Toyota of N Charlotte! 

If you need some more guidance on road hazards, then come visit us at Toyota of N Charlotte. Our expert auto service technicians can get you prepared! Book an appointment at 13429 Statesville Road! Take exit 23 off I-77 in Huntersville! 

Getting back to school: Car care tips

Are you starting your back to school prep? Fall semester kicks off next month and things are definitely going to pick up speed - gone are the lazy days of summer. But between all the back-to-school shopping, laundry, signing up for classes, and planning for school drop-off and pick-up, you should schedule a little TLC for your ride in terms of car care. 

When school is back in session you're undoubtedly going to be putting more miles on your car and making it work harder to maintain top performance, safety, and comfort. That's why it's critical to prep your car ahead of time so it's ready for the busy school year. Here are some of our tip Charlotte car maintenance tips to prep effectively for back to school! 

Four tips to get your ride ready for back to school 

Tip #1: Detail your ride before back to school. 

No one really wants to get back to the hustle and bustle that the school year brings, but you can definitely make it easier by detailing your car before the year kicks off. Empty out all the trash and clutter and then wipe and vacuum the interior for a pleasant commute. We also recommend washing and waxing the exterior, as well as scrubbing your wheels, and cleaning all glass. Head back to school in style! 

Tip #2: Catch up on routine car care. 

Are you behind on your routine Charlotte car care schedule? Before you start putting more miles on your car, take the time to catch up on things like oil change, tire rotations, brake service, battery checks, and anything else on your car care to-do list. After all, staying up on routine maintenance can ensure you don't deal with any major issues throughout the school year. Our techs will check your car from bumper to bumper when you come in and will be able to head off any problems before they get big or expensive. 

Tip #3: Get organized. 

Make back to school - and the ensuing school year - easier than ever by staying organized. We know that getting kids back and forth to school, sports, clubs, tutoring, and other activities can entail A LOT of stuff, so invest in things like a cargo area organizer and over-the-seat organizers to keep everyone's stuff in one place. And don't let clutter accumulate - it'll just make the school year more hectic. 

Tip #4: Pack wisely. 

Is your car prepped and ready for back to school? Now is a good time to sort through the trunk or cargo area, the glove box, and the center console to make sure it's organized and stocked with the supplies you need to make it through the year. We suggest carrying around items like jumper cables, a spare tire kit, a spare phone charging cord, a flashlight, and a basic toolkit for small repairs. It's also a good idea to keep a small first aid kit, non-perishable snacks, and some bottled water on hand. This can also help fend off after-school hangry vibes! 

Get your car prepped at Toyota of N Charlotte 

Need help getting your car prepped for back to school with car care? Call Toyota of N Charlotte today. We're open seven days a week at (704) 650-2025 and we're conveniently located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. Visit us at 13429 Statesville Road! 

Toyota experts give safe driving tips for teens

Every driver remembers their first experience behind the wheel. It starts a little bit like an overwhelming feeling of excitement with a lot of asking, "what should I do?" But, as we know, driving takes practice and time. With the beginning of the school year right around the corner, many new drivers will be on the road. That's why Toyota of N Charlotte is providing you with some helpful tips that will make any teen driver's experience in their Toyota vehicle a great one. 

Don't underestimate the power of the seatbelt…

Wearing your seatbelt is one of the most critical aspects of driving safely in your N Charlotte Toyota, yet many teen drivers underestimate its ability to protect passengers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, of the 22,215 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2019, 47% were not wearing seat belts. Not to mention, seatbelt tickets can cost you around 180 dollars. So, buckle up!

Avoid external distractions! 

It's so easy to become distracted, whether it's by the GPS, your social media apps, text, music... The list goes on. To limit distractions on the road, figure out everything you need to know before pressing your vehicle's gas. Our new N Charlotte Toyota models feature the latest technology like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, giving drivers less of a distraction by using a large screen to display the GPS, music, and even speak out your text notifications. 

Stay alert! 

Teen drivers must stay alert of road hazards or pedestrians like their life depends on it. Practicing getting comfortable utilizing mirrors can help teens stay alert. In addition, teen drivers may have had some practice doing this before getting their license through video games that emulate the driving experience. Think Mario Kart that has traps made to spin users off course. 

Maintain your Vehicle. 

Many teen drivers may be unfamiliar with the importance of routine services like an oil change, alignment, brake repairs, etc. By bringing your N Charlotte Toyota into our service department, experts will take care of your car, preventing future mishaps. 

Don't tailgate.

Keep a solid two-second rule by following the car in front of you after two seconds have passed. It's a safe bet to keep a separation distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, which prevents collisions from braking too fast. Of course, this distance depends on many different variables, including the speed limit you're driving in, weather conditions, and where you're going (mountains, highways, city). 

Take your vehicle for your routine check-up today!

Here at Toyota of N Charlotte, we make getting your routine car maintenance a breeze! So call to schedule your service appointment today at (704) 659-2040. We're located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. 

Tips for driving in high winds

It’s hurricane season here at Toyota of N Charlotte. Hurricane season means more rain and super high winds. These high winds can cause damage to your car or another car while driving on your commute to work. If you don’t secure loose items on your car, then this can cause a car accident. However, if that happens, then our Charlotte Toyota auto service technicians can get your car back in working order ASAP! Luckily, there are Charlotte Toyota tips that can help prepare your car for high winds this summer. 

Tip #1 Watch the weather. 

It’s best to stay vigilant and double-check the weather before heading out for your commute to work or dropping your kids off at daycare. By checking the weather, you can easily save yourself some time by leaving early or a little later. But, if you get caught in a wicked storm, then just find a safe spot, pull over, and wait it out. If you’re unsure if your car is ready to drive in high winds, then bring your car to our Charlotte Toyota auto service technicians. 

Tip #2 Go the speed limit. 

A great Charlotte Toyota tip is to go the speed limit! The sign is there for a reason, and it’s there to keep you safe. If you’re driving in super high winds, then you can even go a little slower than the speed limit says. 

Keep it at 10 and 2 on the wheel during high winds!

Tip #3 Keep both hands on the wheel.

At Toyota of N Charlotte, we know how easy it can be to get distracted by a pesky text message or phone call while driving. By staying alert and focused on the road, you’ll be ready if you need to come to a complete stop all of a sudden. 

Tip #4 Remove any loose items from your Toyota car. 

Toyota of N Charlotte recommends removing any loose items from your car before heading out for your commute. Be sure to remove things like a bike rack, luggage, and kayaks that are strapped to the top. We recommend this because if you don’t secure your items, the high winds could make them come flying off.  

Tip #5 Keep that distance! 

Our expert auto service technicians recommend keeping your distance from the car in front of you. Be sure to keep more distance in front of you than you normally would. That way, if the wind is causing your Toyota car to swerve a little, then you’ll be able to stay car accident-free as best as you can! Also, if you have to slam on your brakes suddenly, then you’ll have even more space to stop. 

Have a car maintenance check at Toyota of N Charlotte! 

Before heading out to work this summer, stop by our dealership and have your car serviced by our expert auto service technicians! Just book an appointment at 13429 Statesville Road! Take exit 23 off I-77 in Huntersville! 

7 warning signs you need more car coolant

At Toyota of N Charlotte, it’s heating up! We’re getting into the thick of summer with super hot temperatures. However, with hot temperatures comes hot cars. There’s nothing worse than getting into your Toyota car at the end of a long day at work and hot air blows out of your A/C! That’s why you should know some warning signs before your A/C goes kaput and when you might need more car coolant to stay cool during those hot summer months.

Sign #1 Warning light on the dashboard. 

Some Toyota cars will have a dashboard light that will appear if you need more coolant. On the other hand, if you don’t have this handy dandy light, then you should take your car to our Charlotte Toyota auto service technicians. We can determine if your Charlotte Toyota car coolant level is low and let you know if you need it topped off. 

What’s that smell? 

Sign #2 Sweet smell. 

Charlotte Toyota car coolant has a very distinct, sweet smell if you’re running low. If there is a leak on the loose, then you might start to notice this odd smell. 

Sign #3 Poor gas mileage. 

Another telltale sign that you might be low on Charlotte Toyota car coolant is if you notice that your gas mileage is slacking lately. If your car is at the right temperature, then you’ll burn through gas at a proper rate. However, if your car is running too hot, then your fuel efficiency will suffer. 

Sign #4 A leak gone wild. 

If you begin to notice that your Toyota car is leaving behind little puddles in your garage that are green, pink, or orange, then you might have a Charlotte Toyota car coolant leak. You can take your car down to our expert auto service technicians to diagnose the problem for you! 

Sign #5 No more heat.

If your car isn’t getting warm when turning on the heater, then this could mean that there is a blockage of car coolant or a leak on the run. Our auto service technicians can take a look at this for you! 

Sign #6 Temperature gauge not stable.

If the temperature gauge needle is getting too close to hot or cold, then this could be bad. The needle should always be in the center of the gauge if everything is running properly. If you need auto service for this, then just bring your Toyota car to our auto service technicians. 

Sign #7 Your Toyota car stops working. 

If your Charlotte Toyota car coolant gets too low, then your car can stop working! It’ll shut off if the engine gets too hot! If this happens our auto service technicians can get your car back to working order! 

Come see us at Toyota of N Charlotte 

Book an appointment with our Charlotte Toyota auto service technicians to get have car maintenance performed on your car. Just call (704) 659-2025 today! We look forward to seeing you! 

Four types of engine oil

It can be intimidating when a Charlotte Toyota auto service technician asks you which oil you want in your car. Even more so, if you’re browsing the accessory store at Toyota of N Charlotte. Also, determining which type of engine oil your Toyota car will need depends on a couple of factors. The climate you live in, driving habits, and the age of your engine determine which type of car oil you’ll need. Luckily, we have the best auto service technicians to help you with all of your car oil needs and determine which one is the best for your car. 

#1 Conventional oil. 

This is the most common type of Charlotte Toyota engine oil, and the most affordable! This is ideal for light-duty cars with low to average miles and drivers that don’t drive too aggressively. However, this type of car oil doesn’t provide as much protection as the other Charlotte Toyota car oils and you have to get your oil changed more frequently. 

Difference between synthetic and synthetic blend engine oil. 

#2 Synthetic oil.

This type of engine oil has better properties within the formula and is great for climates with extreme temperatures, improves fuel efficiency, and increases your car’s horsepower by reducing the engine drag. This type of car oil is best for engines that are a little more complicated and have high-performance designs. Keep in mind that synthetic oil is becoming more prevalent due to more complicated engine designs. However, the only drawback is that it’s more expensive than conventional oil, but you don’t have to get your oil changed as often. 

#3 Synthetic blend oil. 

This engine oil has the best of both worlds in one bottle! Synthetic blend oil has the characteristics of synthetic oil but at a much more affordable price! It’s a mixture of synthetic and conventional oil with some good additives included for oxidation resistance and amazing low-temperature properties. This is the middle ground of Charlotte Toyota engine oil because it’s not quite as expensive as pure synthetic oil, but is more expensive than conventional oil. If you’re unsure of using synthetic oil or a synthetic blend oil, then our Charlotte Toyota auto service technicians can help you choose the right one for your car! 

#4 High-mileage oil. 

This engine oil is used for Toyota’s with a lot of miles stacked on them. You can also use it for newer cars that have a lot of miles on them already. High-mileage oil is best for cars with a lot of miles on them because it helps prevent your oil from leaking. Which, we know would cause you to have more oil changes! Also, it has a higher viscosity that helps your older car perform better. 

Come down to Toyota of N Charlotte! 

If it’s time to get your car serviced, then come see us at Toyota of N Charlotte! Just book an appointment at 13429 Statesville Road! Take exit 23 off I-77 in Huntersville! Let’s get your Toyota car running smoothly again!