A quick guide to the "how often should I" questions of car care

A huge part of owning a car is taking care of it and keeping it on a car care schedule. However, you may have - more than once - found yourself asking "how often should I" when it comes to your auto service. How often should you check your tire? Change your oil? Schedule brake service? Toyota of N Charlotte is here to help you answer all of your "how often should I" questions - check out this quick guide to the most common car care questions we see. 

How often should you schedule your car care? 

Here are some of the most common "how often should I" questions we get at our Charlotte auto service center. 

How often should I get a multi-point inspection? It's never a bad idea to get a multi-point inspection where techs will check your car from bumper to bumper to ensure everything is good. Additionally, our Toyota of N Charlotte techs will conduct a free multi-point inspection every time you bring your car in for service. 

How often should I check my tires? You should check your car tires daily - just do a quick lap around the car to visually inspect them for excessive wear, blisters, bulges, flats, and low tread. You should check your tire pressure every 2-4 weeks to ensure your car tires are inflated to the right PSI, and when you notice a tire is low or your tire pressure warning light comes on. 

How often should I rotate my tires? You need to schedule tire rotations every 5,000 miles for your vehicle. This will ensure your tires wear evenly and last longer and ensure better performance for your car.  

How often should I check my oil? Our Charlotte car care experts recommend you check your motor oil once a month. Pull the dipstick up and make sure the oil is clean and full and free of debris. You should also check oil before you drive for extended periods of time or take a road trip. 

How often should I change my oil? Your car's oil change schedule will depend on two things: what your owner's manual demands and also the type of motor oil you're using. Check your owner's manual to see what mileage they recommend scheduling this car care at, and check to see what motor oil you're using. If you use conventional motor oil in your car, you'll need to change it every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If you use synthetic motor oil, you'll need to change it every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Our Charlotte car care techs can help you get on the schedule that's right for your car. 

How often should I get brake service? You only need brake service every 20,000 miles or so. However, pay attention to your vehicle and if you notice anything different with your brakes - odd noises or sensations or smells - then you bring your car to Toyota of N Charlotte for car care. 

How often should I get a tune-up? Tuneups are one of the less frequent car care appointments you'll need to make. Newer, more modern cars only need them every so often - your car care specialist can tell you when your vehicle is due. Older vehicles need them every 45,000 to 50,000 miles. 

Get all of your car care questions answered at Toyota of N Charlotte 

Have questions about your car care schedule? Toyota of N Charlotte can help. Call us today at (704) 875-9199! 

What do the different grades of gasoline mean?

 When you fill up your car at the gas station, do you notice that there are actually three different options when it comes to regular gasoline? And we're not talking diesel (the green handle) - just regular gasoline. At most gas stations, there are three grades of gas available to customers, and our Charlotte auto service center is here to explain what they mean and how they affect your car. 

There are three "grades" or categories of gasoline at most gas stations: Regular (87 octane), Midgrade (89-90 octane), and Premium (91-94 octane). Some gas stations refer to them as Unleaded, Premium, and Super Premium, but whatever they're called, they have different octane ratings. 

Octane ratings - the number you see on the pump - are a measure of fuel stability and are based on the pressure at which fuel will spontaneously combust in an engine. A fuel with a higher octane rating is more stable than a fuel with a lower octane rating. 

Why does the octane rating in your gasoline grade matter? 

Why does octane rating matter? Here's the basic breakdown. 

When you drive a car that uses internal combustion to start and power the vehicle - so a regular gasoline car or a hybrid - your car will use a controlled combustion process to ignite the fuel inside the engine and get the car running. On the other hand, unstable, low-octane fuel can cause spontaneous or unplanned secondary combustion inside your engine. This leads to uneven fuel dispersion, high pressure, and eventually, damage to your engine's pistons (which is expensive and time-consuming to fix). 

The good news is that most modern cars have special sensors built into the engine to sense this unstable secondary combustion. The engine can then delay the controlled combustion and reduce pressure, which protects your car from damage to its pistons. 

It's still important to look at the octane rating of the fuel and figure out which one your car needs. Most cars will easily run on regular or unleaded 87 octane gas without a problem. However, you may have a N Charlotte Toyota that requires premium or super premium high octane gas. Your owner's manual can tell you what your car needs, and if your car requires premium, you'll likely have a sticker on the inside of your gas door to let you know. 

Here's some more good news - if your N Charlotte Toyota doesn't require premium fuel, you don't have to use it. Putting premium fuel in a vehicle that doesn't require it doesn't improve performance or have any benefits, so you can save your money (premium is the most expensive of the three types of gasoline). 

Let Toyota of N Charlotte answer your questions about gasoline grades

Have questions about gasoline, internal combustion, or fueling your car? Call Toyota of North Charlotte today. We're just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville at 13429 Statesville Road. 

Warming up your car before driving in winter: Is it necessary?

 Do you REALLY need to warm up your car before you drive in the winter? 

It's a question we hear a lot at our Charlotte auto service center, especially in the winter. Is it really necessary to warm up your car before you hit the road? The answer isn't quite as clear-cut as you'd imagine, and our Charlotte car care experts are here to explain. 

It all boils down to how old your car is (in years, not mileage). When your car sits for an extended period of time - like overnight in your driveway - all of the oil in the engine drains down to the bottom of the oil pan. Before you drive, it has to recirculate through the entire engine to ensure all of the parts are lubricated and ready to perform. This is especially true when temperatures are cold outside. 

Do you need to let your car warm up? Why?

Here's the breakdown. 

If you drive an older car, our Charlotte car care experts recommend that you let your car run for a few minutes in your driveway before you try to hit the road. Otherwise, oil won't be properly dispersed through the engine and your engine parts won't be lubricated enough. This results in the risk of damaging your engine's pistons, which can lead to expensive and time-consuming repairs. A few things to note: 

• Older cars take a longer time to disperse the oil throughout the engine because they don't have the same technology or mechanics as newer cars. 
• This is where the assumption comes from; older cars DO need to warm up before being driven so no damage occurs. 
• However, you don't need to let the car warm up for more than a few minutes. After you've idled it in the driveway for 5 minutes or so, hit the road. The best way to warm up your engine is to drive, after all, and extensive idling wastes gas and produces unnecessary emissions. 

If you drive a newer car, you don't need to let it warm up. The engine takes far less time to be ready to perform. You really only need 20-30 seconds to completely lubricate the parts in the engine. So by the time you crank the heat, buckle up, and pick a song from your playlist, you'll be ready to hit the road. Your engine may not be totally warmed up, but it is lubricated and as such, ready to go. Remember, the best way to warm up your car's engine is to simply drive it. 

All in all, it boils down to how old your car is AND how comfortable you feel behind the wheel when it comes to warming it up. If you feel like it's best to take a few minutes to clear the windshield, warm up the cabin of the car, and get situated, you're totally fine. Just don't waste any more gas or emissions than you need to - it only takes a few minutes to prep the engine, even in an older car. 

Toyota of N Charlotte can answer questions about letting your car warm up

Have questions about driving in winter or letting your car warm up? Toyota of N Charlotte has answers. Call us today at (704) 659-2025 ot stop by in person. Our Charlotte car care center is located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville at 13429 Statesville Road. 

Prepare your car for driving in winter in North Carolina

Here in the Charlotte area, we get a little taste of winter. Not nearly as much as our neighbors to the north, but we see some ice and sleet, rain, and enough snow to make it feel like it's really winter. Not to mention, we get our fair share of low temperatures. Even though we don't see harsh winter weather in North Carolina as a whole, the weather that we do get can still have a negative impact on your car and your drive time if you haven't prepared accordingly. Toyota of N Charlotte is here with tips on how to prep your car for driving in winter in North Carolina. 

Four tips to prep your car for driving in winter 

Tip #1: Check your car tires. How are your car tires looking? Before winter arrives, you want to ensure they're in the best condition possible - no bulges, blisters, sidewall separation, etc. You'll also want to check your tread depth (use the penny test or have our Charlotte auto service techs check for your) so your tires can grip icy, slippery roads. Additionally, check your tire PSI. When driving in winter, your car tires can lose pressure as the cold temps make the air inside of your tires denser. Make sure they're full enough to begin with so if they do lose a little pressure, you don't damage your tires. 

Tip #2: Take a closer look at your wiper blades. How did your wiper blades far after a long, hot summer? The summer sun can dry out the rubber on your wipers, causing it to crack and rip. Make sure that the rubber is intact and in good condition, and that your wipers cleanly sweep water off your windshield and don't leave smears or streaks. If you notice any issues, let our Charlotte car care techs help you out - you don't want to be driving in winter weather with bad wipers. 

Tip #3: Have your battery inspected. Before tackling driving in winter weather, have your car battery checked out at Toyota of N Charlotte. Our techs will inspect its physical condition, looking for leaks or swelling, and also check the terminals and cables to ensure everything is secure. Additionally, they'll be able to test the voltage of your car battery to make sure it can handle the cold. Remember, cold weather can negatively impact car batteries, especially if they're not in good shape to begin with. Don't get stuck with a dead battery! 

Tip #4: Ensure your heater and defroster are working. Are both your heater and your defroster working in your N Charlotte Toyota? NOW is the time to check - you don't want to be stuck with them not working while driving in winter weather. Test them both routinely as winter weather approaches and if you notice any issues, have our Charlotte auto service techs inspect the system as a whole to find the problem. 

Get your car prepared for North Caroline winter at Toyota of N Charlotte 

Have questions about prepping your car for NC winter? Don't risk driving in winter without getting your car in shape - call us today at (704) 659-2025 to schedule service or stop by. We're open seven days a week at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. 

Is it time to replace your car clutch?

 The car clutch is an integral part of a manual transmission vehicle. Without it, you're not able to shift gears, accelerate, decelerate, or even start your N Charlotte Toyota! That's why it's critical that you maintain and monitor your car clutch, as well as replace it when it comes down to it. Toyota of N Charlotte is here with tips on how to care for this critical component and how to know when it's time to call it quits and replace it. 

Toyota of N Charlotte tips: How to care for your car clutch 

First, let's talk about how to care for your car clutch. Here's what our Charlotte auto service techs recommend: 

#1: Be careful of overheating. You should be watching your coolant level and cooling system, in general, all the time. If your car overheats, it can do damage to the transmission and engine... but did you know it can also damage the car clutch? Watch your temperature gauge, keep the coolant full and clean, and be sure to look out for any leaks or signs that your cooling system is having issues. 

#2: Bleed the system when necessary. As you use the clutch, sometimes little air bubbles will build up in the hydraulic fluid. This can result in your car clutch feeling "spongey" or mushy. In this scenario, bring your car to Toyota of N Charlotte. Our techs can bleed the system - basically, force all of the fluid out and then replace it to get rid of the air bubbles. 

#3: Don't ride the clutch. Don't press on the clutch unless you're actively shifting gears (or sitting in gear) or starting your car. You should also avoid resting your foot on the car clutch while you're driving - keep your left foot on the floor. Pressing or resting on the clutch too often will wear it out faster, and it's not cheap to replace no matter where you have the repair done. 

When to replace your car clutch 

However, no matter how much you maintain your car clutch, a time will come when it's time to replace it despite your best efforts. When this happens, certain signs will let you know it's time. Here's what our Charlotte Toyota service techs recommend being on the lookout for in your manual transmission car: 

• Odd noises like grinding or squeaking when you press the clutch 
• Feeling like the clutch is mushy or spongey 
• Your clutch sticking when you press it down 
• Inability to shift gears 
• The car having trouble accelerating even if the engine is revving 
• The clutch "slipping" or basically taking a long time to engage when you're trying to shift gears 

If you notice any of the above signs, it's time to take your car to Toyota of N Charlotte's auto service center so our techs can check things out. 

Need car clutch maintenance or repairs? We've got you covered. Visit Toyota of N Charlotte at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. You can also schedule online OR call us at (704) 659-2025. 

Why is there a burning smell in your car? Auto service experts answer.

 Do you have a weird burning smell permeating the cabin of your car? If you're wondering what could be causing it, the answer isn't that simple. There are multiple reasons why you could have the odor of something burning inside of your car and Toyota of N Charlotte is here to explain - see what our auto service experts have to say about it. 

Four burning smells and what they mean for your car 

As we said, there are multiple reasons you may have a burning smell inside of your car - four main ones, to be specific. Here's the breakdown from our Charlotte auto service specialists. 

#1: Burning oil smell

A burning oil smell indicates just that - burning oil. If you smell this odor inside of your N Charlotte Toyota, it usually indicates an oil leak. The oil is hitting something hot inside the engine bay and creating an acrid smoke smell that can spread into your cabin. It's important to get auto service immediately if you sense this odor. Leaking oil can cause your engine to overheat, damage your timing belt or crankshaft seal, or even cause a fire if it hits your car's exhaust. Bring your car in ASAP so our techs can take a look. 

#2: Burning plastic smell 

If you smell burning plastic inside of your car, you most likely have an issue with the wiring inside of your vehicle. The wiring is coated in plastic and when it wears down (or is chewed off - mice love to eat the insulation because it's soy-based), the wire is exposed. You don't want to ignore this smell. Exposed wires that touch each other can damage your electrical system and even cause a fire. 

#3: Burning rubber smell 

Smelling burning rubber inside your car? According to our auto service experts, this can indicate an issue with something under the hood that's made of rubber, like a hose or a belt. The smell comes from rubber hitting something hot and melting. Bring your car to our Charlotte auto service center so our techs can pop the hood and see what's going on. 

#4: Burning carpet smell 

The burning carpet smell is linked directly to your car's brakes. It can mean your brake pads or rotors are overheating, especially if you smell it mostly when you're hitting the brakes. The overheating can be caused by too-thin brake pads, sticking calipers, and more. The effects? You can wear down your brake pads prematurely and damage your rotors, which results in expensive repairs. 

Let our Charlotte auto service center take care of that burning smell

Need auto service to deal with a burning smell? Call Toyota of N Charlotte. We're open seven days a week at (704) 659-2025 and we're conveniently located just off the I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.