Car maintenance for your older ride: What you should know

 Is your car getting up there in terms of years, mileage, or both? An older vehicle doesn't necessarily mean unreliable; nor should it mean you have to spend a fortune on car care just to keep it up and running. However, just like anything else, as it gets older you may have to give it a little more TLC to keep it in the best shape possible. Check out these car maintenance tips for older cars from our expert Charlotte auto service techs and give your car the love it needs to keep it going for miles to come. 

Five car maintenance tips for older vehicles 

Tip #1: Check your features regularly. As your car ages, things will start to wear out (there's really no getting around it). This is why it's important to routinely test your car's features like the A/C, defroster, radio, power seats, power outlets, etc. to ensure each is working as it should. If something seems like it's on the way out, figure out if it's worth repairing now to get ahead or if you can live without it. 

Tip #2: Be realistic about repairs. Yes, you want your car to stay in working condition (and for you to live that no car payment life) for as long as possible. But it's important to be realistic about your car's repairs. Consider the cost of the repair versus the value of your N Charlotte Toyota - would it be better to take the money you'd use for the repair and put it down on a new car? If you're not sure, you can always ask our Charlotte car maintenance techs for advice. 

Tip #3: Come up with workarounds. If the repair you need is going to cost you a little more than what you're comfortable with, try to be creative and come up with a workaround. Radio no longer working? What about leaving a Bluetooth speaker in the car? Consider the issue and see if there's a way to fix it more affordably before you shell out big bucks for repairs. 

Tip #4: Don't let routine car maintenance fall to the wayside. As your N Charlotte Toyota ages, it's even more critical to stick to a car maintenance routine. Make sure you stay on top of routine auto service like oil changes, tuneups, brake service, and tire rotations. Not only will scheduled car care keep your car in the best shape, it'll also keep other issues from arising as a result and save you time and money. 

Tip #5: Address issues ASAP. It's always tempting to ignore that funny sound coming from the engine bay or to act like you don't see the check engine light... but don't. Small issues can quickly become big problems in older vehicles, so you want to stay on top of it. If you notice something, just call our Charlotte car maintenance center and schedule an appointment to drop by and have our techs take a look at it. 

Schedule car care at Toyota of N Charlotte today 

Have questions or need to get car maintenance on the books? Call us! Toyota of N Charlotte is open seven days a week at (704) 659-2025 and we're conveniently located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. 

Is your N Charlotte Toyota using too much oil lately?

When it comes to car care, we can say without hesitation that oil changes are at the top of the must-do list. Motor oil keeps your engine cool and lubricated when your car is working hard to get you where you need to go. When you get too low on it, you can run all sorts of risks - not only can your car overheat, but you can also do irreparable damage to the engine that may not even be able to be fixed. 

Why would your car be using too much motor oil too quickly? 

That's why our Charlotte auto service center is always reminding you when you're due for an oil change and encouraging you to stick to a schedule. It's a lot easier (and more affordable!) to just get your routine oil changes done than to deal with the repercussions of skipping them. However, sometimes you might stick to a routine oil change schedule like clockwork but still find that your car is running out of (or getting low on) motor oil before it should (based on the mileage or calendar time). This means your car is using too much oil too quickly. 

How will you know if your car is using too much motor oil? Basically, depending on the type of oil you use, you should be able to go 3,000 - 5,000 miles in between changes. If your car needs oil sooner than that, then something is up. Here are some giveaway signs you need to visit Toyota of N Charlotte's auto service center: 

• Your oil light illuminates in the dashboard of your car. This indicates that the car is low on oil and you need to either schedule an oil change or add more, based on the quality of the existing oil. 
• You check the dipstick under the hood and discover that the oil is lower than it should be - the oil level should fall in between the two tic marks when you remove the dipstick from the engine. If it's lower than that, you need more oil. 
• You hear weird noises coming from the engine bay. Keep your ears open for rattling, grinding, and clanking noises coming from the engine, all of which can indicate a low oil level. 

If you notice any of the above signs, it's time to visit our Toyota Service Center in Charlotte. Excessive motor oil consumption can be caused by leaks, malfunctioning parts, and more - it can be tricky to pin down the reason, so it's best to let the experts take a look and fix it before the lack of motor oil causes more issues with your engine. 

Schedule auto service at Toyota of N Charlotte today

Whatever the issue, our Charlotte auto service techs can get to the bottom of it and get your ride running the way it should be (or you can trade in - just saying. We've got tons of new Toyotas to choose from.). Call us today to schedule your appointment! We're located at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville, and you can reach us at (704) 659-2025. 

Pickup truck terms you need to know before you buy or own one

 Are you thinking about buying a N Charlotte Toyota pickup truck, or trying to get comfortable with the idea of owning or maintaining one? Before you do any of the above, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of the terms commonly used to describe pickup trucks... and we're here to help. Check out this quick guide to pickup truck terminology from the experts at Toyota of N Charlotte. 

8 pickup truck terms you should know

Bed: The bed of your N Charlotte Toyota pickup truck is where you can haul and carry gear that's too big (or too dirty) to fit inside the cabin of the truck. Truck beds usually come in short (5'8"), standard (6'5"), and long (8') lengths. Be sure to choose the one best suited to your driving needs. 

Cab: The cab of your truck is short for cabin - the place where you and your passengers sit. Cabs also come in various sizes; typically, a regular cab is 2 doors, an extended cab has 2 full doors and 2 smaller doors for backseat access, and a crew cab is 4 full doors. 

Weight class: N Charlotte Toyota pickup trucks are usually classed according to their weight - you have half-ton, three-quarter-ton, and one-ton. Light-duty trucks are half-ton, middle-tier trucks are three-quarter-ton, and the heaviest class is one-ton. 

Payload: Payload refers to curb weight, or how much weight your truck can carry in the cab and bed. 

Towing capacity: While payload refers to how much weight you can carry in your pickup truck, towing capacity refers to how much weight you can safely pull behind it. This is usually determined by the engine size and how much horsepower and torque it provides. 

2WD, 4WD, AWD: These acronyms refer to drivetrain designation. 2WD means two wheels power the truck, 4WD means four wheels do, etc. Be sure to research which performance capabilities you need for your truck before you buy. 

Jackknife: This is something that happens when you're towing behind your N Charlotte Toyota and you back up, but the trailer and your truck end up getting stuck in a harsh acute angle. 

Fishtail: Another towing mishap here - this happens when you're towing in your pickup truck and what you're towing catches wind, causing it to sway back and forth on the road. It can cause an accident if you're not careful. 

Shop and care for your N Charlotte Toyota truck with us

Ready to shop for a N Charlotte Toyota pickup truck or need some maintenance to keep it in the best shape possible? Call us! Toyota of N Charlotte is open seven days a week at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. You can reach us at (704) 875-9199!