A quick guide to car platforms

While we're sure you're familiar with the features that your car has - after all, you did buy it - you probably haven't ever considered the platform it's on. The platform kind of falls to the wayside because you're focusing more on things like engine size and placement, performance abilities, technology (both safety and entertainment), convenience features, and cargo space. However, your car platform plays an important role in your N Charlotte Toyota's overall performance and we're here with a quick guide to explain why. 

What is a car platform? 

A car platform is similar to a house foundation. In essence, it's the structure that your car rests upon and it determines elements like your body aesthetics, chassis design, and other engineering elements. It also usually defines elements like: 

• The type of engine the car will have as well as the engine placement and powertrain elements 
• The type of suspension used both in the front and rear of the car 
• The front and rear axles, as well as the wheelbase, or distance between the two axles 
• The power steering system and other steering parts 

So it obviously plays a pretty critical role in your car's design and performance. 

Why are car platforms shared? 

Also, did you know that car platforms can be shared both among models and across different makes? Take the N Charlotte Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ - they share the same car platform even though they're completely different makes and models. This is more common than you think, too. Designing a new car is pretty costly and also takes a lot of time and effort. Automakers have to research and design the car and then assemble and test it to ensure it's road-worthy. By sharing car platforms, they can cut out steps and save both time and money. This also benefits you as a purchaser and driver - here are a few reasons why: 

• Costs go down. If an automaker doesn't have to go through ALL the steps of designing a new car, it saves them time and money. In turn, they can sell the cars for less so you save money, too. 
• Testing is increased. All vehicles undergo stringent testing before they hit the road, but if several automakers are testing the same car platform, there's even less room for error. This gives you more peace of mind when you hit the road. 
• Your familiarity goes up. Sometimes it can be jarring to jump from one car to another and it can have a negative impact on your drive time. If your new N Charlotte Toyota has the same platform as the last one, then it makes the transition smoother. 

Obviously, there are pretty big perks when it comes to sharing car platforms, both for you and the automaker. 

Ready to shop N Charlotte Toyotas? We're at your service. Call us today at (704) 875-9199 or stop by. Toyota of N Charlotte is located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville at 13429 Statesville Road. 

Sports car maintenance: What you need to know about this type of car care

 Are you thinking about signing the dotted line on a sports car like the N Charlotte Toyota Supra? If so, congrats - owning one of these high-performance vehicles is incredibly rewarding and exciting. You'll have speed, agility, and incredible handling on your side every single time you get behind the wheel (and you'll look pretty awesome, too). However, sports car maintenance isn't the same as maintenance for a typical sedan, truck, or SUV. Toyota of N Charlotte is here to explain why. 

The three main reasons sports car maintenance is different

There are three main reasons that sports car maintenance differs from typical vehicle care - here's the breakdown from our Charlotte auto service specialists. 

Reason #1: Sports cars are built for performance. 

Remember, sports cars aren't designed with a 9-5 commute in mind. These high-performance vehicles are designed to be fast, agile, and at the top of their game in terms of performance. They're ready to hit the track at a moment's notice. However, this type of performance means your car is working flat-out pretty much all the time and operating at peak capacity. This can mean extra strain on your car parts and more wear and tear, which means you may need to schedule car maintenance more frequently and replace parts more often. 

Reason #2: The parts are unique. 

Oftentimes common cars - we're talking sedans, SUVs, trucks, and hatchbacks - will share parts. This means they're cheaper to produce for the manufacturer and in turn, cheaper for you to buy and replace. However, sports cars are unique machines with specific performance abilities which means that their parts are pretty unique, too. This means they're not often shared with other models and are more expensive to produce, so they're more expensive for you to purchase. 

Reason #3: You want to stay on top of upkeep. 

Let's be real - you didn't buy the car so you can keep it in the garage and not let anyone see it. If you're going to sign the dotted line on a sports car, you want to show it off and make the most of its performance capabilities! You also want to keep it in the best shape possible because 1) it's a big investment and 2) you want to keep the resale value high in case you want to trade up later in life. You'll also probably want to detail it more often to keep it looking like-new, which means either more car maintenance appointments for detailing OR more shopping for car detailing supplies (you can get everything you need at our Charlotte parts store, by the way). 

Schedule car care for your sports car at Toyota of N Charlotte 

Are you ready to become the proud owner of one of these exciting vehicles? Shop the N Charlotte Toyota Supra in person today OR schedule sports car maintenance for your existing ride. You can reach us seven days a week at (704) 875-9199 or at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. 

Meet the Million Mile Tundra

  

We all know that if you take good care of your vehicle, it'll last a long time. Watching a Toyota climb upwards of 200-300k miles is nothing out of the ordinary for our service techs, especially if the owner is bringing it in for routine Charlotte car maintenance. Even seeing vehicles hit the 500k marker isn't too crazy. Toyotas are designed to last for decades; that's why they're renowned globally for their longevity and reliability. 

What is the Million Mile Tundra?

However, one Toyota in particular recently caught our attention for its extreme longevity - the Million Mile Tundra. This iconic Toyota truck is a 2007 model that was owned by Victor Sheppard; he definitely put his truck to work and used it for towing, hauling, and transporting heavy loads on a cross-country basis. He finally retired it five years ago when the odometer crossed into the million-mile mark, but the truck is now an official celebrity and is on a tour of our Toyota facilities. We're unpacking it piece by piece to give you an idea of how it's running after over a million miles! 

• First, let's talk about the engine. The engine in this particular Toyota Tundra is a 4.7L V8 2UX-FE engine (one of the first V8 engines to be produced right here in America). To see if a million miles had a negative effect on the engine's capabilities, Toyota put the engine on a dynanometer. They then pushed it through everything from idling to pushing the redline at 5,700 rpm... and the engine sailed through it with flying colors. 
• The engine block was in great shape; there wasn't much carbon buildup inside the valve stems and the engine itself was in excellent condition. Additionally, you could still see all the cross-hatching on the cylinder walls and there were no wear marks on the crankshaft journals. One bearing had a small blemish, but that was it as far as to wear and tear. Believe it or not, the engine scores 99/100 on a quality test. 
• The Toyota Tundra's bed was in great shape, too. The tailgate worked perfectly without any hesitation or catching. The truck bed was in perfect shape besides dents in the wheel wells that were due to towing and hauling heavy loads (i.e., the driver) rather than an engineering defect. (Sheppard said he often carried heavy pallets in the back that didn't quite fit within the wheel wells.) 
• The truck's frame had zero rust on it, despite many, many miles driven in both snow and rain, and the frame and leaf springs were in great condition. This was especially surprising after all the heavy weight that was hauled in the truck. 
• The interior of the truck was also in good condition. Sheppard took great care of it and even parts that you'd think would wear out (like the door latches, window buttons, center console, glove box latch, etc.) were still in working condition. 

Put a million miles on your car with the help of Toyota of N Charlotte!

Whether you want to maintain your current N Charlotte Toyota truck or feel like you might want to try to put a million miles of your own on a new Toyota, call us! Toyota of N Charlotte is open seven days a week at (704) 875-9199. 

Toyota of N Charlotte shares more tips for driving at night

 Do you often find yourself behind the wheel at night? Even if you've only driven in the dark a handful of times, you know how incredibly different it is from driving in the daytime. Additionally, you probably also know how much you need to adjust your normal driving habits to adapt to the darkness. Here at Toyota of N Charlotte, we've already broached the topic of driving at night a time or two, but we're back with additional tips to help you safely tackle these driving conditions. 

Six more tips for driving at night safely 

Tip #1: Wear the right glasses. If you wear glasses, you know that when driving at night they can take light and reflect it, distorting your vision. That's why it's important to wear the RIGHT glasses if you're getting behind the wheel in the dark. You should ensure that your glasses have an anti-reflective coating on them or opt for special lenses that clip over them to give you the best nighttime vision possible. 

Tip #2: Know how to use your rearview mirror. Did you know that your rearview mirror can help prevent you from being blinded by the car behind you? If the driver behind you has their brights on (or has ultra-bright LED lights), looking in the rearview mirror can be painful. In this situation you should take the tab on the bottom of the mirror and flip it; this simple step adjusts the mirror so the light is out of your eyes. 

Tip #3: Don't look into oncoming lights. If a car is passing you on the other side of the road with its brights on, do your best to avoid looking at them, even if you have to shield your face with your hand. Looking at bright lights while driving at night can leave you momentarily blind after you pass them, putting you and your passengers at risk. 

Tip #4: Be retina-aware. You already know that animals are more active and thus, more likely to be on the road at night... but did you know there's an easier way to spot them when driving in the dark? Light will reflect off of the retinas of their eyes, causing a tiny green light. If you see said light, you know there's an animal ahead and you should slow your vehicle so you can react accordingly. 

Tip #5: Check your headlight alignment. Are your car headlights evenly aligned and pointing the same way? Believe it or not, they might not be and this can have negative impacts when you're driving at night. To check them, pull up close to a wall and park facing it. Turn your headlights on so you can see where the beams point. If they're uneven, then adjust the bulbs until they're aligned properly. 

Tip #6: Dim your interior lights. It's a good idea to dim both your interior lights and your instrument panel before driving at night. Bright lights can distract you from the road and actually impede your field of vision. 

Toyota of N Charlotte is here to help you tackle driving at night

Have questions? Want more tips on driving at night? You've come to the right place - visit Toyota of N Charlotte at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. You can also call us at (704) 875-9199! 

Car care resolutions: The ones you should make for 2021

 When it comes to car care, are you at the top of your game? Believe it or not, taking the time to care for your car now can earn you some pretty decent money down the road. Keeping your vehicle in good shape means its resale value will be higher so when you trade it in or sell it, you'll get a lot more bang for your buck. And the good news? Now's the perfect time to set car care resolutions to make you a better car owner. Check out the five that our N Charlotte car care techs recommend you make for 2021! 

Five car care resolutions to consider for 2021

#1: Get on an oil change schedule. Oil changes (yup, here we go again) are absolutely critical for your vehicle. Oil keeps your car's engine lubricated and cool when it's working hard so it doesn't overheat or seize up, landing you with costly repairs. We recommend you get on a schedule for this car care but here's some good news - we can put you on said schedule AND send you reminders via phone or email when you're due to come into Toyota of N Charlotte. 

#2: Have someone teach you how to change a tire. If you got a flat tire, would you be able to handle it alone? You should learn how to change a tire for 2021 to prep yourself for roadside emergencies. We have step-by-step instructions that you can print out or screenshot and our N Charlotte Toyota service techs are always here to give you pointers. Also, remember to ensure that you always have a spare tire, a jack, a lug wrench, and a tire pressure gauge in the back of your car. 

#3: Start detailing your car monthly. Detailing your car isn't the funnest way to spend your afternoon, but if you want to keep your vehicle in good shape and get more money for it down the road, it's necessary. Every month (at least) you should wash and wax your vehicle. Be sure to wipe and vacuum the interior, emptying out any trash or clutter, and clean the glass with an appropriate cleaner. Shine the tires and you're on your way... and don't forget, you can get detailing supplies at Toyota of N Charlotte's auto parts store. 

#4: Learn how to jump-start a car. Do you know how to jump-start your car when your battery goes bad? It happens and if you don't know how to get your vehicle up and running again, you may have to pay for a tow. Use our step-by-step instructions and our knowledgeable car care techs to learn how to jump-start your car yourself and ensure that you always have jumper cables on hand. 

#5: Give your spare some attention on a regular basis. When's the last time you popped the trunk and checked out your spare? Give it a little TLC on a regular basis - a good rule of thumb is that every time you detail your car (which should be monthly, remember?) you check your spare to make sure it's in good physical condition and is inflated properly. You don't want to get stuck with a flat tire only to discover that your spare is flat, too. 

Toyota of N Charlotte can help make 2021 your best year yet

Have questions? Need a bit of assistance fulfilling your car care resolutions? Call us! Toyota of N Charlotte's car care center is open seven days a week at (704) 659-2025. You can also swing by to see us and get answers at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. 

Don't go through winter weather without reading these car care tips

 

Are you ready for winter? We get our fair share of winter weather here in Charlotte and not only do you need to adjust your driving style and habits, but you also need to adjust how you care for your car. Getting it prepped for winter weather is critical, but keeping it in good shape throughout the season is another thing altogether. Toyota of N Charlotte's auto service center is here with tips to help you handle winter weather like a pro. 

Winter weather: How you should care for your car on a daily basis 

Tip 1: Consider winter car tires. 

If you live in an area that sees some serious winter weather - like snow, ice, or sleet - you may want to consider swapping your all-season or summer tires for winter car tires. These tires are designed specifically for winter. They're made of a special rubber that doesn't get stiff in the cold - instead, it stays pliable to allow for better traction. They also have deeper grooves to funnel slush, water, and snow out of the way and grip the road better. 

Tip 2: Pay attention to the condition of your wipers. 

Your wipers are crucial for keeping your field of vision clear in winter weather so it's important that you take good care of them. Don't use them to clear frost or ice off the glass (this will pretty much shred the rubber) and if they seem like they're in bad condition, replace them ASAP. Additionally, if you're parking your car outside in winter weather, raise your wipers off the glass before you go inside so they don't freeze to the windshield. 

Tip 3: Keep your gas tank at least half full. 

Keep your car's gas tank at least half full during winter weather. You never know when you'll get stuck in traffic due to bad weather or a car accident ahead on the road and if you're not near a gas station, you could run out of fuel during the delay. This means no heat, which is bad news in the cold. Keep some fuel in the tank so you don't run the risk! 

Tip 4: Check your tire pressure (a lot). 

When winter weather is hanging around you should check your tire pressure at least once a week. Why? Because cold air makes your tires lose pressure. Tires that are underinflated don't grip the road as well as they should (which means you're more prone to lose traction and slide on ice and snow) and they also lower your fuel efficiency so you have to spend more money on gas. Additionally, underinflated car tires are more prone to blowouts AND wear out faster. 

Tip 5: Wax your car more than usual. 

Winter weather can really do a number on your car's paint. You should make sure to rinse your car daily if possible to get snow and salt off of it. Try to detail it every few weeks and when you do, apply a coat of quality wax. This will help provide a layer of protection between your car's paint and the outside elements, keeping salt and moisture at bay. Our Charlotte parts store can help you choose a good wax. 

Get your car prepped for winter at Toyota of N Charlotte 

Have questions or need to get your car prepped for winter weather? We've got everything you need at Toyota of N Charlotte. Call us today at (704) 659-2025 or stop by and see us! We're open seven days a week at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. 

Why does Toyota not offer an electric car in their lineup?

 

Have you ever looked at Toyota's lineup and wondered why it doesn't include an electric car? You're probably not the only one. With so many other automakers like Tesla, Nissan, Chevy, and more offering all-electric versions of vehicles, you'd think Toyota would be the leader of the pack considering how much research and development they've put into alternative fuel cars. However, that's just not the case and to this day, no electric car option is available. 

Toyota of N Charlotte talks electric cars (or the lack thereof)

We don't have a firm answer as to why Toyota isn't jumping into the electric vehicle ring, but we can speculate as to why they're not offering this particular type of alternative fuel vehicle. 

Reason #1: Been there, done that. 

Did you know that Toyota has actually already released an electric car to the general market? Yup - way back in the early 2010s, the Toyota RAV4 EV was an option for drivers who wanted to go green. This futuristic SUV was a collaboration between Tesla and Toyota and while it was ahead of its times, it was nowhere near electric cars today in terms of capabilities. It could only travel 100 miles at a time (before needing to be charged again) and had to travel at low speeds to achieve that range. It wasn't popular for that reason and was retired fairly quickly. 

Reason #2: The infrastructure just isn't there. 

Electric cars have to be charged - you can't just pull up to a gas station and fill up. Unfortunately, most of the country doesn't have the right infrastructure to offer a multitude of charging stations for drivers. This means drivers have to return home to charge or figure out a way to charge their vehicle at school or work if they're running low or have a long distance to drive. It's impractical and can be a deterrent for owning and operating an electric car. 

Reason #3: Hybrids have been vastly improved upon. 

Hybrids were introduced to drivers nearly 20 years ago (thanks again, Toyota) and have been vastly improved upon since then. Today they're incredibly eco-friendly and fuel-efficient, offer exceptional technology and are more affordable than electric cars. This makes them viable options for drivers who want to go green but also be economical. 

Reason #4: There are so many other options at Toyota of N Charlotte. 

Toyota may not have an electric car in its inventory, but it does have a ton of other alternative fuel options. You'll find 10 different hybrid models for sale at Toyota of N Charlotte as well as be able to consider the option of a hydrogen fuel call car, the Toyota Mirai. 

Shop alternative fuel vehicles today at Toyota of N Charlotte

Have questions or want to get shopping for an alternative fuel vehicle? Call Toyota of N Charlotte. We're open seven days a week at (704) 875-9199 and conveniently located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.