DIY Professional Car Detailing On A Budget

So you want to bring back that new car smell and feel without doing damage to the piggy bank. You're in good hands with Toyota of North Charlotte. We are coming to you with all of the tips, tricks, and hacks on professionally detailing your car on a budget. Car detailing can be on the pricier side and may not be everyone's cup of tea. We'll be covering everything from doing your own car washing to how to clean the interior like a pro. 

Let's get into it!

Vanish the bad smells. 

Over time in your N Charlotte Toyota, you might discover that you have a funky smell lingering in your car, and you want it gone. One great way to do this is to gather baking soda from your kitchen cabinet and spread it throughout your seats and carpet. Then, make sure to leave it in there for a few hours and vacuum afterward. 

Get your interior back to sparkling new. 

Spending extra money on interior cleaners isn't necessary if you're balling on a budget. Instead, grab olive oil and a microfiber cloth from your kitchen pantry to use to clean the plastics, vinyl, and SofTex parts of your N Charlotte Car. 

For fabric seats that you want to bring back to life, use soap, water, and a nice big sponge to scrub out any dirt in your upholstery. After that, you'll have clean seats, but if you find any leftover strains, grab ¼ cup of baking soda and a cup of water to scrub it out. 

Cleaning the exterior of your N Charlotte Car

One of the worst cleaning supplies for the exterior of your N Charlotte car is dish soap. Why? You may ask. Well, it's filled with harsh chemicals that can wear and tear on your car's paint. So if you're trying to clean your car's exterior, grab your hair conditioner and some water to dilute the conditioner for a glossy and budget-friendly finish. 

Polish those windows! 

If you have ever been to the gas station, you've probably used the water and cleaning brush to wash your windshield. While it clears some smudges out of the way, it doesn't do the complete cleaning thoroughly. So, you may want to return home shortly after and grab your Windex for a better finish; however, this is what NOT to do. Instead, use white vinegar mixed with water as a cleaner and grab your old newspaper or a microfiber cloth to wipe your windows down. 

Dust away; it's a must!

If you find that your vents are dusty and you don't want to clean each vent area one by one, we have a hack for you. Grab an aerosol spray designed for cleaning vents to save yourself money and some headaches. These sprays make it super easy to remove any dust that's stuck deep in your ducts, to ensure cleaner air quality in your N Charlotte Toyota. 

Have questions about cleaning your Toyota? Give us a call! 

We would love to answer any questions about cleaning your N Charlotte Toyota. Call us at

(704)659-2025. We're open seven days a week and are located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.

Car care tips: How to remove snow from your car

 Whether you live in an area that sees its fair share of snow or are traveling into one, it's always a solid bet to know the car care basics involved with winter weather. Driving in the snow is one thing, but knowing how to care for and maintain your N Charlotte Toyota is just as important. We're here with seasonal car care tips straight from the experts at our car care center - check out this quick guide to removing snow from your car quickly and efficiently. 

So you got a dumping during the night and now your car is buried in snow. It's pretty to look at, sure, but when you consider how much work it's going to be to remove it, all those winter wonderland vibes dissipate pretty quickly. What should you do, and in what order? Let's review. 

Four steps to take when cleaning snow off your car 

Step #1: Make sure your tailpipe is clear. Before you do anything, walk around to the back of your N Charlotte Toyota and make sure that the tailpipe isn't blocked by snow. If it is and you turn the car on, you could get a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide. Clear all snow away from the tailpipe before you move on to step 2. 

Step #2: Get inside and turn the car on. Once you've cleared the tailpipe, hop into the driver's seat and crank the engine. Turn the defroster on full blast to help melt ice on the windshield, and run the heat so your car is toasty by the time you have to get back behind the wheel. 

Step #3: Remove the snow from your windows. Next, hop back out of the car (sorry) to clean snow from the windows so you have a clear view all the way around your car. While the defroster works away at the windshield, sweep snow from your car's windows, headlights, taillights, turn signals, backup camera, and side mirrors. It's also not a bad idea to sweep off the roof of your car so when you drive, snow doesn't just dump back down on your back window. 

Step #4: Clear the snow from your wiper blades. When you've finally cleared off the rest of your car, remove the snow from your car's wiper blades so you can utilize them when you hit the road. Finish clearing snow from your windshield and remove any remaining ice with a scraper, and you should be good to hit the road. 

Also, keep in mind that this aspect of winter car care is a lot easier if you have the right tools. Here are some supplies to keep in your trunk: 

• A snowbrush with plastic bristles 
• A push broom 
• An ice scraper 

A shovel. But a caveat - never use a shovel or anything metal to remove snow from your car - you can do a number on your car's paint. 

And remember, the easiest way to deal with this type of winter car care is to avoid it. Parking under cover or in a garage is best, and will also help protect your car's paint, plastic, and tires from extreme weather and temperatures. 

Get more information on winter car care at Toyota of N Charlotte 

Have more questions about winter car care? Call us! Toyota of North Charlotte is open seven days a week at (704) 659-2025. You can stop by and see us at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. 

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid VS. Toyota RAV4 Prime

If you're trying to get your hands on a hybrid RAV4 model but are debating on which model to get, there's no need to discuss much longer. Instead, we will be covering the differences between two RAV4 environmentally safe model options, the RAV4 Prime and the RAV4 Hybrid. Let's get into it!

Reasons To Buy The Toyota RAV4 Prime

It gets more electric power.

The Toyota RAV4 Prime can travel up to 42 miles on pure electric power, which gives drivers a total of 600 miles when the gas engine kicks in. 

 

You want the most high-end features available. 

There are a few features available on the RAV4 Prime that you can't get on the RAV4 Hybrid. The premium package on the top XSE trim gives you a 10-inch color head-up display. The standard on the XSE receives 19-inch wheels and a nine-inch touch screen. 

While the RAV4 Hybrid-only receives up to 18 inches in wheels, and the touchscreen size is up to 8.0 inches. 

You want to tow more. 

The RAV4 can tow up to 2,000 pounds, while the RAV4 Hybrid gets 1,750 pounds. 

You want to use the carpool lane without worrying about actually carpooling. 

Electric cars are allowed to use carpool lanes regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle. So, you could end up saving a lot of time by choosing the RAV4 Prime. 

The fuel economy is the priority. 

The RAV4 Hybrid is very efficient, receiving 41/38/40 mpg city/highway/combined. 

While The RAV4 Prime is even more efficient, receiving a rating of 95 mpge (miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent). 

Reasons To Buy The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

You don't have access to an EV charger.

If you have the accessibility to an EV charger, the Prime is a great option. However, it may not be worth paying extra for a feature you might rarely use anyway. 

You want more color choices.

RAV4 Hybrid has more color options than the RAV4 Prime. We're talking interior and exterior in your N Charlotte Toyota. The RAV4 Hybrid offers 13 exterior color options, compared to 11 for the RAV4 Prime. The RAV4 Hybrid has more interior options, while all RAV4 Prime models come with black seats and red stitching. 

You want to save on money.

The RAV4 Hybrid runs to be less expensive than the RAV4 Prime. However, the RAV4 Prime is expected to be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit and other state credits, but these are post-purchase incentives. 

You would rather live plug-free

The RAV4 Hybrid gets a good amount of miles on a tank because it can travel up to 580 miles. So it's nice to know you don't have to worry about charging up your N Charlotte Toyota, mainly because the RAV4 Prime takes up to 12 hours to charge with the standard 120V home charging cable. 

 

You want to maximize cargo space.

The RAV4 models offer a spacious cargo area, but the N Charlotte RAV4 Hybrid has more than 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, while the N Charlotte RAV4 Prime has 33.5 cubic feet. 

With the second row folded down, the RAV4 Hybrid has 69.8 cubic feet of space, while the Prime has 63.2 cubic feet. 

 

Want to test drive a RAV4 today? Come into Toyota of North Charlotte! 

Call us to schedule a test drive today at (704)875-9199! If you have any questions about N Charlotte Toyotas, give us a call! We're located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.

The Difference Between Hybrid and Electric Cars

Electric cars have increased in popularity throughout the years, especially on the Toyota lineup. But, did you know that Toyota made a promise to launch 30 electric vehicles across the Toyota brand and Lexus (the luxury brand) by 2030, unveiling a dozen concepts and previewing some of those models. It’s safe to say that we can see a whole lot more of electric cars in our future. 

Here at Toyota of North Charlotte, we have hybrid cars rolling in daily! You might be wondering what is the difference between a N Charlotte hybrid car and an electric car anyway? Well, that's a great question that we would love to help you answer. 

What is a hybrid car?

A hybrid car is a N Charlotte Toyota whose engine runs on both gasoline and an electric motor, with an attached rechargeable battery for specifically electric-powered driving. The hybrid engine uses both engines simultaneously, making your car's fuel economy better than just a regular gasoline engine. Hybrid cars are great options if you want to save money on gas and help lower gas emissions. 

What is an electric car?

These N Charlotte Toyota cars have an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine. This means that it doesn't need gas at all to power! However, you will need a wall outlet or charging equipment to charge your electric car to replace going to get gas. Electric cars are great options if you want to lower gas emissions from your car completely, 

What are the significant differences between the two?

• In a N Charlotte Toyota hybrid car, the batteries provide energy to your car by getting recharged while you're driving, while in electric cars, the batteries do not get recharged unless they are charged. 

• Hybrid cars are low-emission vehicles, while electric cars fall under zero-emission cars. This means that Electric cars don't produce emissions that are bad for the environment. 

• Electric cars mean you don't have to budget for gas. However, hybrid cars mean you will have to stop at the gas station to refuel. 

• Hybrid cars are used for extended periods since they run both on an electric and gasoline motor. Whereas an electric car only needs to be charged as the only energy option. 

• N Charlotte Toyota Hybrids are more flexible. They allow you to switch between fuel and electric in some cases. 

• The All-new Toyota 2023 bZ4X electric car gives you a driving range of up to 250 miles, whereas the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid gets a combined city/highway driving range of 580 miles, making it a better option if you're on a road trip. 

Both options are very great. Either way, you'll save money on gas and help reduce emissions. 

Test drive a hybrid by coming to Toyota of North Charlotte today! 

We would love to have you test drive a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid or Toyota Highlander Hybrid car. Call us at (704)875-9199, and we're located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. 

Do You Need To Change Your Car Engine Air Filter?

If you’ve been hearing strange noises coming from your engine or a drop in your gas mileage, you might be wondering what is going on? Well, your car has an engine air filter that needs to be replaced over time. Today, our experts at Toyota of North Charlotte will educate you on everything from an engine air filter to signs you need to change it in your car and even tell you when that time has come.  

What is an engine air filter?

It’s responsible for pumping air in and out of your engine to keep dirt and debris from entering the engine. A clean air filter can help make sure your car’s engine doesn’t need to work harder than it should. 

Signs you need to change your car air filter.

Decrease in Gas Mileage

Not Changing your North Charlotte’s Engine Air Filter can cause a disturbance in your N Charlotte’s airflow. When your air filter is dirty, it’s harder to get the air in, and the engine has to work harder than it needs to. After a while, you’ll notice the numbers drop quickly, so make sure to schedule an appointment with our service techs to prevent this from occurring. 

Black sooty smoke leaving the exhaust pipe

If you’re seeing black smoke coming from your exhaust pipe, it’s usually due to oxygen struggling to reach the engine, causing fuel to burn off at an inefficient rate. This is a definite sign you need to replace your N Charlotte’s air filter. 

Weird engine noises

If your engine makes weird noises when you’re parked, it’s most likely because of air intake issues due to a bad air filter. An engine with good oxygen flow is smooth and doesn’t rattle or vibrate. Make sure to bring your car into our service center to get a better look at it. 

Check the engine light turns on. 

Your run takes in a lot of air to process your Clermont Toyota’s car fuel efficiently. So, if your check engine light comes on, you might be facing an air replacement situation. This is because the buildup over time triggers the service light. 

The air filter looks dirty. 

If you go to check on your air filter, the filter is filled with dirt, you should get your air filter replaced. This can happen over time when debris gets trapped through the filter, and that’s why it’s essential to get it inspected by expert techs at our service center. 

How often are you supposed to change the engine air filter?

Replace your engine air filter once a year or every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. This can vary based on your car model and your driving conditions. For example, if you’re consistently driving in dusty terrain or off-roading, you might want to see our expert techs sooner rather than later. 

Want to schedule an air filter replacement? Visit Toyota of North Charlotte! 

Call us at (704)659-2025 or book online to schedule a service appointment on your car. We would love to hear from you and get your car back to feeling good as new!