Touchless car washes and hand car washes: How they're different

 When it's time to get your car back into like-new shape, do you opt for a touchless car wash or head to the driveway for a hand car wash? These two methods of washing your vehicle are actually pretty different, and both have their pros and cons. So which one is right for your N Charlotte Toyota? Our auto service experts at Toyota of N Charlotte are here to explain each in detail to help you decide. 

How are hand car washes and touchless car washes different? 

Hand car washes: Hand car washes are done by hand (obviously). You'll use special car soaps, sponges, microfiber towels, etc. to get your car spic and span and also to dry it at the end of the process and avoid pesky water spots on the paint. 

Touchless car washes: Touchless car washes are mechanized and automated. It's basically a stall that you drive into; once inside, you put your car in park, sit back, and let the machines wash, rinse, and dry your car. 

Which is better for your N Charlotte Toyota? It really boils down to your personal preference. Here are the pros and cons of hand car washes and touchless car washes as explained by our N Charlotte Toyota experts. 

Pros of hand car washes: Hand car washes are completely in your control. You get to choose which products you use, the steps you take, whether or not you repeat any steps, how long it takes, etc. You can also pay as much attention to detail as you want, getting into cracks and crevices, taking care of stubborn spots, and making sure the undercarriage of the car gets cleaned. Hand car washes are also affordable. All you have to pay for is the supplies upfront (all of which you can find at the Parts Store at Toyota of N Charlotte) and then invest your own personal time. 

Pros of touchless car washes: Touchless car washes are super convenient - you literally just sit there while your car gets washed, and it only takes a few minutes for the entire process. They're also gentler on your paint than a hand car wash, and they're relatively affordable, especially if you get a membership or package of them. 

Cons of hand car washes: Hand car washes take time, so if that's one resource you're short on, they might not be a fit for your routine. You can also damage the paint if you don't know what you're doing (for example, a dirty sponge can leave scratches). 

Cons of touchless car washes: Touchless car washes are convenient, but you don't always get the attention to detail you want. You may end up with stubborn spots and stains still after the fact, and your car's undercarriage won't get washed. Plus, sometimes the air dryer at the end just doesn't cut it and you end up with water spots. 

Still have questions or need to shop car wash supplies for your car? Visit Toyota of N Charlotte today! We're just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville and we're open seven days a week at 13429 Statesville Road. Call us at (704) 875-9199! 

Protecting your car's seats from pets: Six easy car care hacks

If you enjoy taking your pets along for the ride when you hit the road, you're certainly not the only one. According to the American Automobile Association, over 80% of fur baby owners drive with their pets in the car. However, it's not as simple as just tossing them in the seat next to you and hitting the highway. Your pets - albeit unintentionally - can actually damage the interior of your car, especially materials like leather, SofTex, and plastic. Toyota of N Charlotte is here with six easy car care hacks to better protect your vehicle next time you take your four-legged friend along for the ride. 

Six car care hacks to protect your car from your pets   

Hack #1: Keep your pet as calm as possible. The calmer your pet is, the less damage they're likely to do to your car's backseat. Keep them occupied with treats and toys to prevent excessive slobbering or moving around the back, and ask your vet for suggestions if your pet gets overly nervous in the car. 

Hack #2: Get them groomed routinely. Another great way to protect your car is to get your pet groomed regularly. Routine grooming and nail trimming will keep your pet from scratching the seats and shedding like crazy, leaving hair everywhere. 

Hack #3: Buy a car hammock. Did you know that we sell pet car hammocks at Toyota of N Charlotte? This car care accessory effectively creates a hammock in your backseat that not only keeps your dog from jumping into the front but also protects the seats themselves from being scratched and drooled on. 

Hack #4: Explore the idea of door protectors. Your seats aren't the only part of your backseat taking a beating from your pets. When they stand up to look out the windows, their nails can damage the plastic and the trim on your car doors. Door protectors may seem like overkill, but they can save you a lot of money in the long run. 

Hack #5: Protect your cargo area. Even if you put your pet back in the cargo area of the car, there's still a risk that they can scratch the plastic sides or that you could end up with endless hair stuck in the floor mat. Protect it all - invest in a cargo area protector to save yourself time and money in the future. 

Hack #6: Think about a car seat for your pet. They actually make these, believe it or not. They're sort of like booster seats that 1) keep your pet contained in one spot and 2) allow you to secure your pet via a harness and the car's seatbelt. So they're dual purpose - your pet is safer, and so is your car. 

Shop for car care accessories at Toyota of N Charlotte 

Want more tips or need to shop for pet car care accessories? Toyota of N Charlotte is here to help. Call us today at (704) 875-9199 or stop by! We're open seven days a week at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. 

Driving in a tornado: What you should know

Driving in bad weather can be disconcerting at best and dangerous at worst. That's why it's best to be prepared for anything and everything that Mother Nature could throw your way. Toyota of N Charlotte has tons of tips on how to drive safely in bad weather, and today we're tackling a big one: tornados. Check out these tips on how to safely drive in a tornado. 

Six tips for driving in a tornado

#1: Know how to spot the signs that one is imminent. If bad weather is approaching, you should get alerts on your phone or on your N Charlotte Toyota's radio. However, it's also a good idea to know how to spot signs that a tornado is imminent, like: 

• The sky is turning a dark green color
• An uneasy, still quietness in the middle of a storm, especially if you were just driving in heavy rain or hail
• A loud roaring noise that sounds like a train or a vacuum cleaner
• Debris falling around you or a cloud of debris at ground-level
• A rotating funnel extending out of a cloud

#2: Get off the road as quickly as you can. Now is the time to get OFF the road and find a safe building in which to shelter. Pull into the nearest parking lot and try to get to safety as quickly as you can. 

#3: Don't try to outrun the tornado. You should never try to outrun a tornado. These storms are unpredictable, can change paths at any moment, and can even disappear and then drop back down in a new spot. Outrunning it isn't a smart option. 

#4: If you can't find shelter, look for a low-lying area. If you can't find anywhere to shelter in place, try to find a low-lying area like a ditch or a ravine around you. Park your car, exit it and make a run for the low-lying area. Once you're there, cover your head with your hands and arms. 

#5: DO NOT park under a bridge or in a tunnel. Parking under a bridge or in a tunnel may seem like a safe space to take shelter, but it's not. These spaces actually turn into wind tunnels when the weather is bad, and you're at high risk of being hit by debris. 

#6: Shelter in your car if you have to. If you can't find anywhere to shelter and there are no low-lying areas to lie in, you should stay in your car. Put it in park, put on your seatbelt, and try to stay down below the line of the windows. You should also cover your head with a blanket or jacket if you have one, as well as your arms. 

Get more tips for driving in a tornado from Toyota of N Charlotte 

Feel like you need to brush up on your safe driving in a tornado or any bad weather? Toyota of N Charlotte always has tips! Call us today at (704) 875-9199. You can also stop by at 13429 Statesville Road, just west of I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. 

What do you do if something gets stuck under your car?

 Road hazards are everywhere around you, whether they look like one or not. And believe it or not, damage to the body of your car isn't the only type of damage you could be looking at when you hit the road. Getting something stuck underneath your car can also do expensive damage to your N Charlotte Toyota, which is why our expert service techs are here to explain what to do in this roadside car emergency and how to handle it. 

How common is it to get something stuck under your car?

You may think it's uncommon to get something stuck under your car, but it's not. Our Charlotte auto service center commonly sees things like: 

• Balls or other sports equipment and toys getting stuck under cars
• Debris or trash from the road, like plastic bags, construction debris, or debris left over from an accident 
• A part on the vehicle actually coming loose, like a skid plate or heat protection cover, and dragging on the ground underneath the car 

No matter what it is, it can do damage to the underside of the car and leave you with an expensive repair bill to contend with. That's why in these roadside car emergency scenarios, it's critical to know how to handle things. Here are the steps our Charlotte Toyota service techs recommend taking should something get stuck under your car. 

#1: Pull over and put the car in park. Your first step should be to immediately pull over and put the car in park once you realize what's going on. Pull into a parking lot if you can; if not, find a flat, level spot free of mud and sand and far away from the passing traffic. Put your car in park, pull your emergency brake, and turn on your hazards so other drivers can see your vehicle better. 

#2: Figure out what's under the car and if you can remove it or not. Next, it's time to figure out what's under the car. Be sure to stay far away from passing traffic as you try to ascertain what it is, and try to avoid crawling under the car if you can. We also recommend keeping a flashlight on hand to help you see better, especially if the lighting is dim. 

After you've figured out what it is, you have to figure out if you can remove it or not. If it feels like you're trying to force it out, hold off - you could actually do more harm than good trying to remove it from under your vehicle and damage more parts, especially if the thing in question is a car part that's come loose. For sports balls, try to deflate them before you pull them out to lessen the damage. 

#3: Have your car checked out after the fact. Regardless of whether or not you think there's damage, you should bring your car to Toyota of N Charlotte to be checked out after this roadside emergency. Let our techs inspect the underside of the car, especially if you notice a leak, an odd noise or smell, or anything else that's out of the ordinary. 

Let Toyota of N Charlotte help you recover from this roadside car emergency

Have questions about this common roadside car emergency? Visit Toyota of N Charlotte today at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. You can also call us seven days a week at (704) 659-2025 or schedule online. 

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.