Your steering wheel is shaking, but why?

 Your steering wheel shaking is never normal and never a good sign. However, it's not always easy to pinpoint what the exact problem is or what's causing the shaking without having the experts take a look under the hood. Our Charlotte Toyota service center is here to do just that - here are five reasons your steering wheel might be shaking and what to do about it. 

Five reasons you might experience your steering wheel shaking

Reason #1: A steering or suspension issue. Your steering and suspension systems are pretty complex; if one part goes bad, it can take the whole thing down with it. If you notice that your steering wheel is shaking when you drive these two systems can be one of the main culprits. Have our Charlotte auto service techs inspect both and get you back on the road with the best performance possible. 

Reason #2: Bad brakes. Is your steering wheel shaking when you press your car's brakes? If so, it can indicate bad brake discs, bad rotors, and more. It's definitely worth having your brake system inspected so our techs can figure out the issue and fix both your steering issues and the problem in your braking system. 

Reason #3: Your wheel bearings are overworn. Do you feel your steering wheel shaking when you turn or accelerate? This can indicate that your wheel bearings are going bad or need to be replaced. Bearings wear out over time and the wear and tear can be worse after off-roading or in a car accident. Don't ignore this sign - let our Charlotte car care techs take a look at everything before you hit the road again. 

Reason #4: Your tires need to be balanced. Did you know that your tires actually have small weights inside of them? These weights need to be strategically placed so that your tires are balanced, and you need to have your tires balanced as part of your car care routine (like when you get your tires rotated). 

Reason #5: You need a wheel alignment. You also need to get routine wheel alignments to - essentially - get your wheels pointed in the same direction. Your wheels can become misaligned gradually over time, and also after you hit a curb or pothole, or get into a car accident. This can cause steering wheel shaking, as well as cause uneven tire wear (which means you'll have to replace your tires more often). Don't ignore this issue - it'll cost you! 

Fix your steering wheel shaking today at Toyota of N Charlotte 

Have questions about your steering wheel shaking or need to schedule auto service for it? Call Toyota of N Charlotte today at (704) 659-2025. We're open seven days a week at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. You can also schedule online! 

Fuel injector flushes: Why your car might need one

If you're noticing performance issues with your car, it could mean a multitude of issues (all of which our Charlotte auto service techs are happy to diagnose for you). One common problem that we see in our car care bays is vehicles that need fuel injector flushes. But what is a fuel injector flush, and what does it mean for your car's health? See what our Charlotte car care experts have to say about it. 

What is a fuel injector? 

A fuel injector - to put it in the most basic terms - is a pressurized valve that pushes a carefully measured amount of fuel into your car's engine. Once the fuel has been pushed into the engine, it mixes with air and is then ignited to get your car up and running. Fuel injectors are used quite often - like every single time you drive your car - so like any other part, they tend to build up dirt, grime, and residue over time. This can negatively impact your car's performance by messing up the fuel/air ratio and in turn, reducing your car's fuel efficiency and also leading to issues like rough idling, stalling out, and more. 

So how can you fix this common problem? At Toyota of N Charlotte, we recommend a fuel injector flush. During this auto service appointment our techs will flush your fuel injectors and fuel system with a special chemical solution. This will push out any dirt or debris in the system, as well as get rid of any corrosion. 

And you and your car will benefit from it. Not only will you get back to the fuel efficiency you deserve and expect in your car, but you'll also have a cleaner performance and give your car (and the parts in it) a longer life. 

Five signs you need to schedule a fuel injector flush

Let's talk about signs that you're due for a fuel injector flush. If you notice your car exhibiting any of these symptoms, then it's time to bring it into our Charlotte auto service center for car care. 

Sign #1: Your car is stalling out. Is your car stalling out when you're stopped at a stoplight or sitting in slow-moving traffic? This can be a sign that you've got problems with your fuel injector and is worth checking out. 

Sign #2: It won't accelerate. If you press down the gas pedal but don't get the acceleration you expect (or you experience sputtering), then you need to visit our Charlotte Toyota service center. 

Sign #3: It's idling rough. Does your car feel like it's sputtering or shaking when you're sitting still? Definitely a sign that it needs car care. 

Sign #4: Your RPM needle is jumping around. If you notice your RPM needle jumping around - moving up and down erratically - when you're not even pressing the accelerator, then you need to pay us a visit. 

Sign #5: Your fuel efficiency has taken a dip. If you see that it's taking more to fill up at the pump and your fuel efficiency is lower than what it should be, you definitely want to investigate. 

Have questions or need help scheduling a fuel injector flush? Call us today! Toyota of N Charlotte is open seven days a week at (704) 659-2025 and you can also schedule online for added convenience. Or just stop by - we're just off the I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville at 13429 Statesville Road. 

Car Cleaning Hacks With Household Items

It’s springtime and a great time to start your spring cleaning! It can be hard to get yourself to clean your N Charlotte Toyota and expensive to buy cleaning supplies. Here at Toyota of N Charlotte, we want to make sure you can clean your car on a budget and without hauling yourself to the store to get supplies. Today, we will be giving you the best car cleaning hacks with items you’ll be able to find in your household! Let’s get into it. 

Use your old makeup brush! 

Did you know that you can use your makeup brush to clean parts of the car, like the vents, dashboard, and small areas? It’s one of the best household items for dusting! Just make sure you clean your makeup brush before and see it work! 

Keep the upholstery looking great with baking soda.

Do you have a stain on your seats? If you’re having a hard time cleaning out a stain, the good news is this will help it disappear! Just mix ¼ cup of baking soda with a cup of warm water and place it on the stain. Next, you’ll want to scrub it out with a toothbrush. Let the solution sit for around 30 minutes if it’s a tough stain. 

Polish your dashboard with olive oil.

Oil is something that many people have in their household pantries. Oil is an excellent polish that eliminates odd smells from chemical cleaners. After you dust your dashboard with your makeup brush, take a small amount of oil on a microfiber cloth and wipe down your dashboard. 

Cupcake liners in your cup holders.

You’re probably tired of cleaning out your cup holders. They’re that specific place in your N Charlotte Toyota that loves collecting dirt and spills. We have a quick and easy solution: put cupcake liners in your cup holders! 

Get a conditioner with lanolin in it. 

Conditioner is an excellent polish for the outside of your N Charlotte Toyota. Cleaning the exterior of your car can be tricky in spring. There’s pollen falling onto your car and there can be all sorts of things from nature getting on your N Charlotte Toyota too. You can take your car in to get a free car wash after your service and then polish your car by combining two cups of water in a bucket and adding half a cup of hair conditioner. Next, use your microfiber cloth and smooth it over your N Charlotte Toyota. 

Grab your Toothbrush and toothpaste.

Don’t throw your old Toothbrush away! Instead, bring it out to your car and use it to brush out the dirt from the crevices in your N Charlotte Toyota. You can apply your toothpaste in circular motions on your headlights and wipe it off with a gentle cloth for headlights that look brand-new! 

Make Some Slime!

If you’re a parent, you probably have some slime lying around somewhere. Thank you, children, for your creative activities, and use it to clean out the crumbs and car vents. 

Stock up on Dryer Sheets.

Dryer sheets are great to help with your N Charlotte Toyota’s scent. Place the dryer sheets underneath your seats, and over time you will notice a pleasant smell. They also help eliminate bugs from the exterior of your N Charlotte Toyota, just use them to swipe them off. 

Want a complimentary car wash? Then, take your car to Toyota of North Charlotte for a service! 

We would love to fix up anything you need to be done on your N Charlotte Toyota. So call us at (704)659-2025 to schedule a service appointment. We’re open seven days a week just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.

Best Toyota RAV4 Models? We got you. 

Best Toyota RAV4 Models? We got you. 

SUVs are great family cars and give car owners the cargo space they need when hitting the roads. The RAV4 is one of the most popular Toyota models on the market, and it’s easy to know why this N Charlotte Toyota gets all the attention. Its redesign has given upgrades in technology, eco-friendly hybrid options, and if you enjoy off-roading, the RAV4 has a model for that too! This popular Toyota SUV comes in 12 different models, with models that range for everyone’s liking. 

 

Today, we will be going over the top three RAV4 models to see which model may be best for you. 

 

Which Toyota RAV4 Favorite is For You? Keep reading!

 

2022 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road 

This car is for you if you want a RAV4 model that will get you through any terrain. The MSRP starts at $36,465, so it’s a good deal for all of what’s included. Take this N Charlotte Toyota with you on any adventure you can imagine. With a power moonroof that sparks the best conversations over with a stargazing experience. This N Charlotte Toyota RAV4 comes with a TRD package with 8.6 inches of ground clearance, a front skid plate, dynamic torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, TRD tuned suspension, and Falken all-terrain tires. The safety features on this RAV4 are great with the best-LED projector headlights and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0. 

 

2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE

Hybrid cars are great for car owners looking to get better fuel economy and make an eco-friendly impact. The starting MSRP on this sweet ride is $30,545.This RAV4 Hybrid model gets 41/38 mpg, saving you money on gas. It is not only great for your pocket, but you’ll find some of the best technology features like a smart key system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and safety connect services. 

 

2022 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium

This model gives off “living life in luxury” with high-end features that will make commuting a fun experience. The starting MSRP on this bad boy is only $32,285! This N Charlotte Toyota premium trim comes with 19-inch super chrome alloy wheels, sleek SofTex-trimmed seats, 7-inch touchscreen multimedia system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa! LED projector headlights with chrome bezels, low-profile black roof rails, and sporty underbody panels. The underbody panels are great because they mean better fuel efficiency! 

 

Curious about the other RAV4 models? Here’s a list of different trims to check out! 

There’s a lot to choose from, and it’s hard to go wrong. 

• LE

• Hybrid LE

• Hybrid XLE

• XLE Premium

• Hybrid XLE Premium

• Adventure

• TRD Off-Road

• Hybrid SE

• Hybrid XSE

• Limited

• Hybrid Limited

Get your hands on a Toyota RAV4 Today! Visit Toyota of N Charlotte for a test drive. 

Call us to schedule an appointment with your future car at (704)875-9199. We’re open seven days a week for your convenience, so come whenever you want, and we will be here! We’re located at 13429 Statesville Road! Just take exit 23 off I-77 in Huntersville.

We look forward to helping you today!

Six Winter Driving Myths You Shouldn't Fall For

Yes, it's March, but still, it's snowing! Of course, when you're driving in your N Charlotte in the winter weather, it's a different ball game dealing with snow, ice, or sleet. Our experts are here with the truth on what's fiction or fact about winter driving myths. 

Toyota of North Charlotte winter driving myths

Myth #1 Don't worry about winter weather if you have four-wheel drive

Don't get us wrong, four-wheel drive is an excellent quality to have in your N Charlotte Toyota, but that doesn't mean it will save you from losing control while driving in snow. It is an addition to your safety, but it's not necessarily an excuse to drive as you usually would in bad weather conditions such as a snowy day.

Myth #2 You can also put sandbags in your trunk for better traction

Well, this one is not necessary for your N Charlotte Toyota. Drivers who have to deal with slippery winter driving conditions might have been told to put sandbags in their trunks for better traction; however, this throws your car out of balance. Since most cars today are front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, they are great for traction. 

Myth #3 you can use cruise control in icy or snowy weather 

Unfortunately, you can not use cruise control in icy or snowy weather. This is because cruise control is not meant for winter driving, and it is a bad idea to use it when the roads are slippery. When it comes to driving in bad winter weather, you need to be able to control your N Charlotte Toyota fully. 

Myth #4 Deflate your tires to a lower PSI for better traction 

Myth or fact? Myth. Deflating your tires will not give your N Charlotte Toyota better traction. Some people think this because the lower the PSI, the more surface area of the tire touching the road. But actually, deflated tires have less traction because the tread can't work as well as it should. So, leave your tires inflated to the proper PSI. 

Myth #5 Pouring hot water on your windshield is an easy way to get rid of frost or ice

Yeah, no. If you want to crack your N Charlotte windshield, then sure, go ahead and do this! But we hope that you choose not to! If your windshield is icy or frosted, your glass is cold too. So, pouring boiling water over your windshield might melt the ice away, but it will also cause your windshield to crack or even shatter. Instead, break out your ice scraper or even a credit card to clear your windshield. 

Myth #6 You have to warm up your car before driving it. 

Nope, you only need to give your car 20 seconds to start running and get the oil moving through the engine. This is a pretty common myth: you need to wait for your car to get warmed up. However, some of us might use it as an excuse to scroll through our phones and set up our essentials anyways.

Have any more questions? Contact our experts here at Toyota of North Charlotte! 

If you need more car safety tips, stop by our dealership today! Just book an appointment at 13429 Statesville Road! Then, take exit 23 off I-77 in Huntersville.

Everything About TRD Packages

If you've ever seen one of our N Charlotte Toyotas, you might have noticed some cool features and an acronym TRD in bold red letters. TRD stands for Toyota racing development, a package available on various models. The TRD package comes in three different package models that we will dive deeper into today. This package has some remarkable history behind it, and today our experts are going to give you the rundown. 

The history of the TRD? 

Toyota racing development was founded in 1979 to improve performance in cars. It started as an aftermarket parts distributor and a "speed shop" and is now one of the most accomplished engineering companies in the motorsport industry. 

The Three TRD Package Models 

TRD Sport 

This TRD package gives you an upgrade when it comes to giving your N Charlotte Toyota a sporty, elevated exterior. However, this isn't going to be your pick if you want off-roading capabilities. 

• Sport-tuned suspension

• 17-inch alloy wheels

• TRD graphics

• Integrated wide-angle for lights 

• Hood scoop (non-functional)

TRD Off-Road 

This N Charlotte TRD package gives drivers the best off-roading features to get you into adventures in the N Charlotte Toyota. These features can be costly if you modify them yourself, but when you buy them customized already, it can help eliminate problems. 

• Charlotte Toyota's unique TRD-tuned off-road suspension

• Bilstein shocks

• 16-inch alloy wheels

• More significant approach angle (from 29 degrees to 32 degrees)

• Electronically locking rear differential

• Crawl control

• Inclinometer with roll/pitch displays

• Wide-angle fog lights

• Multi-terrain select

• TRD off-road graphics

TRD Pro 

This TRD package gives you the ultimate off-roading package by providing convenience and comfort to go along with it. This is the most expensive package option but gives you a lot of upgrades like: 

• Special TRD-tuned off-road suspension with a 1-inch lift

• Fox internal bypass coil-over springs and rear remote reservoir shocks

• 16-inch TRD pro-black alloy wheels

• 35-degree approach angle

• TRD pro-cat-black exhaust and a leather shift knob

• An even better and thicker front skid plate

• TRD pro graphic on floor mats with black leather-trimmed seats

• Heritage-inspired Toyota front grille

• Power moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, and driver-assist features

 

What models come in TRD?

There are quite a few models in our lineup that can be purchased with the TRD Pro package, including the Toyota Sequoia, 4Runner, Tacoma, and Tundra. The basic TRD package includes the N Charlotte Camry and Avalon. Additionally, the Toyota Sequoia, Tacoma, and 4Runner are available in the TRD sport package. Finally, if you are looking for the models with the off-roading package, that would be the Toyota RAV4, Tacoma, and 4Runner. 

Test Drive a TRD N Charlotte today at Toyota of North Charlotte! 

If you have any questions or are interested in purchasing an N Charlotte Toyota TRD package, call us at (704) 659-2025! We're located at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. We're open seven days a week for your convenience and would love to help you find the perfect car for you. 

 

The Best Ways To Combat Sick Driving

It’s not uncommon that people may feel a little bit queasy on a long car run. You may feel like your stomach is going in circles, or you might need to roll down a window. Car sickness can be triggered by movement. You might notice once the motion stops, the sickness stops, or maybe you’re just hungry. Whatever the case scenario is, today, our experts at Toyota of N Charlotte have gathered the best ways to resolve car driving sickness.

Six Ways To Help Driving Tips

Eat Ginger

Keep some ginger ale or ginger candy on you while driving your N Charlotte Toyota car. Ginger has some positive effects on the body that help with anything nausea-related. So stash some ginger-flavored foods in your car, and you’ll thank yourself later. 

Stay Calm and Breathe.

We got you with this simple but underestimated Charlotte Toyota sick driving tip, take a deep breath or maybe a couple. If you feel sick, it can help calm your mind by breathing deep and slow breaths. This will help divert your mind away from feeling sick and other distractions. 

Take Medicine for it

If you know you are more prone to being car sick, you might want to store some medicine in your N Charlotte Toyota car storage. Taking medicine should be your last way to resolve being car sick ‘however some anti-nausea medicine can definitely help you feel better. 

Keep your head up

Car motion sickness is caused by your brain receiving signals from the parts of your body that signal motion because of this your brain doesn’t know if you’re moving or not. So the confusion causes you to feel sick. So, one way to alleviate this is to keep your head up and focus on one object. 

Try to find a flat driving route.

If you’re driving all up and down hills and turns, this might be one of the problems perpetuating your car sickness. So, connect your Apple CarPlay in your N Charlotte Toyota and route with fewer hills. Find a flat surface within your N Charlotte Toyota like the steering wheel, window, or dashboard if you can't do this. 

Grab a bite to eat!

If you maybe haven’t eaten all day and you’re feeling sick, sometimes it is as simple as grabbing a bite to eat to help you feel better. So, if you’re driving in your N Charlotte Toyota and think to yourself, “I’m not feeling so good,” reach for some crackers or a banana to help you! 

Visit Toyota of N Charlotte today! 

Here at Toyota of North Charlotte, we will treat you like family. So come on in if you have any car questions or need more sick driving tips. Give us a call, and we would love to help you at (704)659-2025. We’re open seven days a week for your convenience at 13429 Statesville Road. Just take exit 23 off I-77 in Huntersville. We are excited to have you.