Toyota of N Charlotte Has the Download on the Best Back to School Toyota Tech

We know that Toyota Technology can make or break back to school. This is why our N Charlotte techs are sharing that the Toyota technology is evolving to suit your specific back-to-school needs. We’ve had our N Charlotte specialist share with us what they think are the biggest Toyota technology features that will make a difference in your back-to-school commute. Let’s take a quick study session and find out!

The Best Toyota Technology for Back to School

Our N Charlotte Toyota experts realize that back to school can be difficult. You have to deal with new traffic patterns, on top of pedestrians, crossing guards, and overall car safety. We’re going to give you the details on everything that makes your new N Charlotte Toyota one of the best back-to-school rides you can find.

Toyota Safety Sense

We talked about safety and for good reason. Keeping everyone safe is a priority for our N Charlotte Toyota dealership. Thankfully, our new Toyota technology allows you to be at the top of your commuting game. You will find the available Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ in your new Toyota. This tech will provide you with peace of mind. It includes lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, road sign assist, and more. All of this combined keeps you, your passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians as safe as possible while you are navigating your back-to-school commute.

Multimedia System

We love a good audio system at Toyota of N Charlotte, and thanks to our new Toyota technology we are able to deliver the best of the best. Most of our vehicles at our N Charlotte Toyota dealership have premium audio systems. You can find Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Qi wireless charging, Amazon Alexa, premium navigation, JBL premium audio, Bluetooth connectivity, and even Wi-Fi that can connect up to five devices via 4G available. Not to mention, the added USB-C charging ports to stay up-to-date with the latest charging cords for phones that will come in handy during your commute. Saving the best for last, some of our N Charlotte Toyota models have a free one-year trial of emergency assistance button that allows you to have 24/7 emergency access!

Toyota App

Our N Charlotte Toyota specialists are super excited about this feature. With new Toyota Technology in play, you will have a Toyota tech app that is compatible with previous and new models. You are able to subscribe to this app at a low cost. This Toyota Technology will allow you to keep up with your car. Our N Charlotte Toyota experts explain that this app will let you check in on your vehicle's health and maintenance, get service deals, and even receive recall notifications! You will also be able to control your car remotely, which makes sports pick-up a breeze when your hands are full of equipment. In addition to that you are able to access your car with your smartwatch, and even make a payment with your TFS online account.

Find your Favorite New N Charlotte Toyota Technology Today

You may want to come check this new Toyota technology out for yourself, and we wouldn’t blame you! Stop by our dealership today for a full demonstration to see if this Toyota Technology is right for your back-to-school drive. We’re open seven days a week and we’re conveniently located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville at 13429 Statesville Road. You can shop in person or online – call today for more info at (704) 875-9199.

Do you know how to defog your windshield?

Foggy windshields can be both annoying and dangerous. Why does your windshield fog up, and how can you defog it so your commute is as safe as possible? Toyota of N Charlotte is here to explain why this driving hazard happens in the first place as well as how to quickly and efficiently defog a windshield before you hit the road. 

First, let's discuss why foggy windshields happen to begin with. It all boils down to the weather outside (specifically, the temperature) and the moisture in and around your N Charlotte Toyota. Here's what our car care experts had to say about it. 

Why does the windshield get foggy? 

When it's cold outside, the moisture inside of your car hits the cold glass of your windshields and windows. When it hits this cool temperature, it meets the "dew point" where it forms fog on the inside of the glass. The moisture in your cabin can come from general humidity, your breath, wet shoes and umbrellas, etc. 

When it's hot and humid outside, the air outside of your vehicle has a lot of moisture in it. When the air hits the cool glass of your windshield and windows (especially if you have your A/C running), it forms fog on the outside of the glass. This can also happen when it's raining. 

Either way, it's a bad situation to drive in because it impedes your field of vision. This means you're a lot more likely to get into a car accident.

How to defog a windshield: N Charlotte Toyota tips 

So how can you quickly and effectively defog a windshield? Here are Toyota of N Charlotte's top tips for making it happen. 

• If it's cold outside, you have a multi-step process in front of you but the good news is, it shouldn't take too long. Here are the steps to take to defog your windshield in this scenario: 
• Turn on your defroster as a temporary solution - your focus after that should be getting the moisture out of the car. 
• Next, turn on your A/C. We know it's cold, but running the A/C will help pull the moisture out of the air and cause the fog to dissipate. 
• Also, turn off the recirculating feature. You don't want to cycle the same humid air through the cabin; you want to pull fresh cold air in from the outside to help get rid of moisture. 
• Finally, open your windows to try and get rid of the last of the humidity. 

• If it's hot outside, the process is much easier. Remember, in this scenario the fog is on the outside of the glass. To defog your windshield, just roll down the windows to clear them and turn on your front and rear windshield wipers. 

And there are ways to make it less likely that you'll need to defog your windshield. Here are some quick tips: 

• Keep the glass clean. Moisture sticks to dirt, so you're a lot more likely to have a foggy windshield if your glass isn't clean. 
• When it's cold out, try to shake out your umbrella and dry off your shoes before you get in the car. 
• Keep up to date on routine car care for your car's air-conditioning and defroster at Toyota of N Charlotte. 
• Buy a defogging solution at Toyota of N Charlotte's parts store. Our techs can help you find what you need - you should buy one designated for interior glass and one for exterior glass. 
• Try shaving cream! Some drivers swear that applying a layer to the inside of your windshield and then wiping it off can prevent fog from forming on the inside of the glass. 

Let Toyota of N Charlotte help you defog your windshield - call us today at (704) 659-2025 or stop by! We're just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville at 13429 Statesville Road. 

 

Leather car seats: How to care for them

 If you took the plunge and bought a car with leather car seats, then it's critical that you know how to care for them. While leather can make your car feel ultra-luxurious and keep you comfortable when you're behind the wheel, it's also extremely susceptible to wear and tear, staining, and other damages as the years roll by. Check out these easy tips from Toyota of N Charlotte on how to care for leather car seats. 

Tips for caring for your leather car seats 

Tip #1: Protect your car. Heat and strong sunlight can damage the leather by both fading it and drying it out, making it more susceptible to cracking and tearing. Our N Charlotte Toyota car care specialists recommend using a sunshade in the windshield to keep sunlight out, and tinting your windows to keep the interior of your car cooler and darker. You can even invest in seat covers and a steering wheel cover if you're really worried about damage to your leather car seats, especially if you have pets. 

Tip #2: Vacuum your N Charlotte Toyota out before you start cleaning. Any sand, crumbs, dirt, or other debris on your leather car seats can cause scratching and other damage if you try to clean over it. (Kind of like how if you have sand on your can or your sponge while washing it, it can cause little scratches in the paint.) 

Tip #3: Clean leather car seats regularly. Dirt, stains, and bacteria build up over time. You should routinely clean leather seats with a cleaner that's specifically formulated for them - using other cleaners can stain or damage the leather, so be sure to check with our N Charlotte Toyota parts store. They can help you find the right products. Here are a few other points to remember: 

• Don't use cleaners that have ammonia or bleach in them (they're more likely to damage leather). 
• You can make your own cleaner if you want to go natural. Mix five parts warm water to one part Castile soap (it's a vegetable-based soap) and put it in a spray bottle. 
• Don't spray directly onto the leather; instead, spray your cleaning solution onto a soft microfiber cloth and use that to apply it to the seats. 
• Try not to soak the leather car seats. Use a damp cleaning cloth to work on them; wet leather takes forever to dry and can actually get moldy faster than you'd think. 
• Use a little elbow grease when necessary - you might need it to get rid of tough stains. Be sure to work in sections and let your seats dry all the way before moving to the next step in your detailing process. 

Tip #4: Condition your leather car seats. You'll want to work this step into your car cleaning process monthly - trust us. Conditioner helps leather stay soft and supple so it's less likely to crack or tear. Additionally, it forms a type of protective barrier layer on top that can help fend off dirt, grime, and stains (kind of like car wax protects the exterior paint). You should use a microfiber cloth to apply leather conditioner and again, go light with it - don't soak the seats. Let them dry for 4-6 hours before you drive anywhere. 

Get the right products for your leather car seats at Toyota of N Charlotte 

Whether you need help finding the right products to clean your leather car seats or want more tips, we've got you covered. Call Toyota of N Charlotte today at (704) 659-2040 or stop by! We're just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville at 13429 Statesville Road. 

Toyota of N Charlotte explains all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive

 Trying to figure out which features you need in your next new Toyota? We hear you - there's a lot to consider, especially when it comes to performance. Today our Toyota of N Charlotte experts are breaking down one of the most common questions we hear when it comes to performance features... what's the difference between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive? 

So here's the first thing you need to know - a lot of people incorrectly assume that all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are the same thing, and that the terms can be used interchangeably. However, this is definitely not the case. Here's the breakdown of these two different features: 

All-wheel drive (AWD) is when all four wheels power the vehicle - the engine is sending torque to all four tires at the same time. 

Four-wheel drive (4WD) is when the front and rear driveshafts lock together to keep the front and rear axles turning at the same speed. This ensures that torque is sent to at least one front wheel and one rear wheel at all times, even if the terrain is uneven or rough. 

The main differences between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive

OK, so what are the differences between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive? Here are some key takeaways to remember as you shop for your next N Charlotte Toyota. 

• All-wheel drive is optimized for use on the pavement (not off-roading). It helps your car retain its traction and grip when you're driving on slippery surfaces, like roads covered in snow, ice, or rain. It also helps your N Charlotte Toyota to grip the road better when you're taking curves or turns at higher speeds. 
• All-wheel drive is becoming more and more popular; you used to only see it on trucks and SUVs, but now you can find it on minivans like the N Charlotte Toyota Sienna and sedans like the Toyota Camry. The new Toyota Prius even offers this feature. 
• Most vehicles turn all-wheel drive on and off seamlessly, switching back and forth from front-wheel drive (or rear-wheel drive) so you get the safety and traction you need while still being able to maximize fuel efficiency. 
• Four-wheel drive, on the other hand, is best utilized OFF the pavement on dirt, rocks, gravel, mud, etc. We recommend that you do not attempt to use the four-wheel drive feature on a paved surface. 
• This performance feature guarantees that when you're driving in challenging terrain that's rocky, icy, muddy, etc., you'll have at least one front wheel and one rear wheel giving you the traction you need at all times. 
• Almost all four-wheel drive vehicles need to have the feature engaged manually - you'll need to press a button, flip a switch, or turn a knob to turn the feature on and off. 

Should you go for all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive? 

So which do you need on your next N Charlotte Toyota - all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive? Here are a few points to consider: 

• If you spend most of your time in a typical commute on the pavement and want more peace of mind while driving in bad weather, then all-wheel drive is going to be your best bet. Tons of our new Toyotas in N Charlotte have this performance feature. 
• If you like to take things off the pavement and explore uncharted terrain, then four-wheel drive is going to be your best bet. You'll find this feature on a ton of our N Charlotte Toyota trucks and SUVs, like the Toyota Tacoma and Toyota 4Runner. 

Want more help or want to test drive a new Toyota with either of these performance features? Call Toyota of N Charlotte today! We're open seven days a week at (704) 875-9199 and we're conveniently located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.