Should you consider buying cars with 360 cameras?

When it comes to safety, Toyota has always had the latest and greatest technology so you can park, drive, and reverse, with ease. One of the features that are becoming more and more popular is cars with 360 cameras. If you aren’t sure if you want that type of Toyota technology, our N Charlotte Toyota product specialists are going to help you make up your mind. Let’s see if cars with 360 cameras are for you.

Cars with 360 Cameras – What is it? 

If you’re looking for the formal name for cars with 360 cameras, you’ll see different names. It could be a Bird’s Eye View Camera or a Surround-View Camera. But, here at Toyota of N Charlotte, we call them Panoramic View Monitors. The purpose of this technology is to give a 360-degree view of what’s around your car.

How Does This Toyota Technology Work? 

So, now that we know that cars with 360 cameras help you see what’s going around your N Charlotte Toyota. We want to know more about them and how they work. Let’s get into it:

• To see everything, Toyota usually puts four cameras in cars with 360 cameras. It helps you see everything in every direction. 

• When you see your monitor, there’s an image displayed of where your car is located. It’s compiled by multiple images that the cameras catch and it’s then combined with a software program. The monitor will show you your vehicle from a bird's eye view – showing you what’s around your car.

• You’ll also get a split-view image that will give you more to see than just your average backup camera - which will combine a bird's eye view and a backup camera. This way you won’t back up into fire extinguishers in parking garages – yes, this is a personal experience.

In addition, you can see that there are a ton of perks to having this type of N Charlotte Toyota technology. You’ll have a crystal clear image of your surroundings! Plus, you’ll have a much easier time backing into tight parking spaces, off-road terrain, terrible traffic, and other road hazards.

Which N Charlotte Toyotas cars have 360 cameras?

There are a couple of 2024 N Charlotte Toyota cars with 360 cameras. Here’s the list for you:

• Toyota Grand Highlander & Grand Highlander Hybrid

• Toyota Tacoma

• Toyota Sequoia

• Toyota 4Runner

• Toyota Tundra

• Toyota Crown

• Toyota Camry & Camry Hybrid

• Toyota bZ4X

• Toyota RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, & RAV4 Prime

• Toyota Land Cruiser

• Toyota Venza

• Toyota Sienna

• Toyota Prius & Prius Prime

• Toyota Highlander & Highlander Hybrid

Note that the 360 camera does not come on every single trim level on your N Charlotte Toyota because Toyota wants you to have options. If you are looking for cars with 360 cameras, then you can always add it on – but it is a little expensive. If the price tag is worth it to you, for the extra layer of safety, then our N Charlotte Toyota experts say it’s a good idea to add it on when purchasing your next Toyota.

Can You Install a 360 Camera in Your Car? 

If you are thinking about DIYing the installation of a 360 camera in your camera, you definitely can. However, it is sold as an aftermarket auto part. This makes it not recommended by our N Charlotte Toyota experts because you won’t get the quality, warranty, and reliability that comes with our Toyotas. Also, if you do decide to DIY it – bless your heart as it takes a long time to install.

Stop by Toyota of N Charlotte

If you want to take one of the cars with 360 cameras at our dealership for a spin and check out this tech, then stop by our dealership! We’re located at 13429 Statesville Road. Take exit 23 off I-77 in Huntersville.

What to Do When You Overfill Your Gas Tank

We imagine you would probably panic a little if you accidentally overfilled your tank. An overfilled gas tank can definitely cause damage to a vehicle over time. However, there’s some helpful information to know to protect your N Charlotte Toyota from this situation. Let’s get into it! 

What Happens if You Overfill Your Gas Tank?

It’s okay if you’ve been in this position, it happens to the best of us! So what happens if you overfill your gas tank? (Besides probably need to buy some new shoes!) There is definitely some damage that can be caused by an overfilled gas tank, here are the details from our Toyota of N Charlotte team. 

• Damaged solenoids that can prevent your car from starting
• Purge valve failure that can cause fuel efficiency and emission issues
• A saturated charcoal canister that causes a gasoline smell and problems filling up your tank
• Problems starting and accelerating your vehicle 

Not to mention, spilling gasoline on the ground is a major contributor to pollution of the air, soil and water! This is also a serious fire hazard if the gasoline is not cleaned up immediately. Now that we know some of the potential dangers, let’s take a look at what you can do about this issue.

Here is What to Do When You Overfill Your Gas Tank

Realistically, overfilling the tank just one time will not cause any significant damage to your N Charlotte Toyota. Definitely be mindful and clean up the mess quickly (gas is extremely flammable after all). It’s also a good idea to start taking steps to prevent it from happening again in the future (not a good reoccurring problem to have).

Preventing an Overfilled Gas Tank

Let’s talk about some of the ways you can avoid overfilling your Toyota of N Charlotte vehicle’s gas tank. 

• Stay close to the pump! Listen carefully for the click when your tank is full - and this is especially important for everyone who uses the pump handle lock. 
• Pay attention! It’s tempting to be on your phone or sitting in the car, but as soon as the pump clicks you need to be ready to pull the pump out immediately.
• Don’t try to “top off” your tank! A lot of people will try to squeeze a few extra drops into the tank after the pump clicks. Really, it’s just not possible to get extra fuel in the tank and can end up causing gas to spill out everywhere. 

Visit us at Toyota of N Charlotte 

Whether you have more questions about an overfilled gas tank or other auto service needs, stop by Toyota of N Charlotte! We’re at 13429 Statesville Road. Take exit 23 off I-77 in Huntersville. We look forward to helping you out with your ride!

Do you know where to find the VIN number on your N Charlotte Toyota?

Have you ever bought or sold a car and wondered what is a VIN number – maybe even where to find the VIN number? Well, you’re not alone. To start, VIN is short for a ‘vehicle identification number’. VINs are very important and they share a lot of information about your N Charlotte Toyota. Our Toyota of N Charlotte specialists are Making it Simple™ and sharing everything you need to know about your VIN. 

How to decode a VIN number

Before you know where to find your VIN number, you should know what a VIN is and what it means. To answer, a VIN is a series of 17 characters – both numbers and letters – that are assigned to each car by the automotive manufacturer. If your car is from 1981 or before, there’s a possibility that your N Charlotte Toyota’s VIN has fewer characters.

A VIN is never going to change throughout your N Charlotte Toyota’s lifetime and is completely unique – so no car will share the same VIN with another car. Here’s how to decode your VIN:

• The first character indicates the continent where the car was built.

• The second and third characters tell you about the auto manufacturer.

• The fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth characters tell you the vehicle brand, engine size, and engine type.

• The ninth character is a security code used by the manufacturer.

• The tenth character tells you the model year of your N Charlotte Toyota.

• The eleventh character tells you about the assembly plant where the car was put together.

• The last set of characters is a serial number that’s unique to your car.

What are VIN numbers used for?

Now you know what a VIN is and how to decode it, but what are they realistically used for? It’s more important than you think. Let’s get into it.

• One of the main reasons is if your N Charlotte Toyota gets stolen, the police can identify your car with the VIN and hopefully bring it back to you.

• You’ll also need it for your car insurance because insurance companies use the VIN to match your insurance policy to your car. Your insurance could be invalidated if you accidentally give them the wrong VIN – so make sure to double-check!

• If you’re looking to buy a used car near Charlotte, then you’ll need to pull a vehicle history report to see its history. You’ll want to know what you’re getting yourself into before buying. 

How to tell if a vehicle is AWD by VIN

As we’ve shared earlier, your VIN gives you a lot of information. But, if you’ve ever wanted to know if your vehicle is AWD, you can tell it by your car’s VIN. But, how do you tell if a vehicle is AWD by VIN? It’s pretty simple! You’ll just pull a vehicle history report, which you can do with CarFax, or use a VIN decoder, which you can do with the Department of Vehicles’s online tool. Also, when you’re reading through the information, you’ll notice that there’s more information than just if it's AWD or not.

Now you know why the VIN is important. The final step is to see where to find the VIN number on your N Charlotte Toyota.

A guide on where to find the VIN number

Where is your VIN located on your N Charlotte Toyota? Here are some of the most common places to find it:

• Stamped on your dashboard close to the windshield on the driver’s side

• On a small metal plate or sticker on the driver’s side door jamb

• Stamped on the engine firewall

• On your vehicle title and registration paperwork

• On your vehicle’s insurance car and insurance policy paperwork

• In the trunk – could be on the inside of a car’s liftgate or the floor next to the spare tire well

• On the frame – check the driver’s side

• On the window sticker

Not sure where to find the VIN number? Talk to an N Charlotte Toyota specialist.

Have trouble finding the VIN on your N Charlotte Toyota, or want tips on how to read your vehicle history report? Contact Toyota of N Charlotte today! We’re open seven days a week at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.

What is a mild hybrid, and is it better than a full hybrid?

What is a mild hybrid, and is it better than a full hybrid?

Ready to purchase your next car? Right now is the perfect time because there are just so many options on the market – EVs, gasoline cars, hydrogen-powered, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and mild hybrid. But, what is a mild hybrid? We know that full hybrids are fuel-efficient and eco-friendly, but what is the difference between mild hybrid vs full hybrid? Toyota of N Charlotte is Making it Simple™ for you. Let’s get into it.

What is a mild hybrid? 

So, what is a mild hybrid? It’s simple. They use a small electric battery and an electric motor to reduce your gas use. Mild hybrids use regenerative braking to charge up the electric battery. So, it sounds a little like a full hybrid, but there is a clear difference between the two.

Mild Hybrid vs Full Hybrid: How noticeable are the differences?

The differences between mild hybrid vs full hybrid are small but noticeable. To answer your question, yes, mild hybrids DO reduce fuel consumption and are eco-friendly, but full hybrids save you way more money on fuel and are even more eco-friendly. Let’s get into it.

• With full hybrids, they’re going to have a larger battery and electric motor than a mild hybrid.

• Mild hybrids don’t have the capability of using their electric motor to power the car solo, which is not the case for full hybrids. Full hybrids can drive on electric power for very short distances and short time periods.. This also means that full hybrids cut down on emissions more than mild hybrids.

• Last, but certainly not least, you get to save some money! Both full and mild hybrids will cut down your gas costs, but full hybrid will cut it down significantly more.

Are you turning more toward the full hybrid? Our N Charlotte Toyota sales specialists agree with you.

Benefits of a mild hybrid

Even though the difference between the mild hybrid vs full hybrid is drastic, mild hybrids have perks! Here’s the breakdown:

• More acceleration from a full-stop

• A bit more fuel efficiency

• A little decrease in tailpipe emissions

Are Mild Hybrids For Me? 

We might be considered a tad bit biased since we sell traditional hybrids. But, we don’t think that you should purchase mild hybrids if you’re looking to move into alternative fuel options. Toyota of N Charlotte recommends traditional hybrids like the Toyota Camry because of the perks you get with them. ou’ll get better fuel efficiency, fewer emissions, and if you buy from us, reliability. Our sales specialists recommend full hybrids like the N Charlotte Toyota cars, like the 2024 Toyota Prius and 2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid.

With full hybrids, you get more bang for your buck – more fuel efficiency and more eco-friendliness. Also, we recommend a N Charlotte Toyota when looking for a full hybrid. Here are some of our options on the lineup:

• Prius (57/56 mpg)

• Corolla Hybrid (53/46 mpg)

• Camry Hybrid (51/53 mpg)

• RAV4 Hybrid (41/38 mpg)

• Highlander Hybrid (36/35 mpg)

• Sienna (36/36 mpg)

• Venza (40/37 mpg)

• Crown (42/41 mpg)

• Tundra Hybrid (20/24 mpg)

• Sequoia Hybrid (21/24 mpg)

We also have the newly redesigned 2024 Toyota Tacoma coming in a hybrid version soon. 

Stop by Toyota of N Charlotte to test drive a full hybrid

Ready to save some gas and be more eco-friendly? Stop by our dealership at 13429 Statesville Road. Take exit 23 off I-77 in Huntersville or talk to a sales specialist at Toyota of N Charlotte at (704) 659-9199.

All you need to know about car bumper repairs

All you need to know about car bumper repairs

If you just got into a minor accident, you’re going to want to check if you have any damage. And if you see a scratch or dent in your car bumper, you’re going to want to repair it. Toyota of N Charlotte is here to make it simple for you by giving you the 411 on car bumper repairs – including the car bumper cost, how to get a dent out from a car bumper, and how to remove scratches from a car bumper. Let’s get into it.

Why Should you Get Car Bumper Repair ASAP?

If you recently got into an accident and there were no damages from the outside, you might want to consider bringing into our N Charlotte body shop just in case. Unfortunately, there can be some serious damage behind your car bumper. Let’s get into just a few of the common invisible damages:

• Damaged lights:

• Fog lights, headlights, turn signals, and license plate lights can all be damaged if your bumper gets hit.

• Damaged sensors: 

• The bumper often protects sensors for your cruise control, parking features, airbags, weather, collision warning system, backup feature, and lane changing system.

• Damaged cameras: 

• The car bumper can also house elements of your car cameras, which can easily be damaged in an accident.

Even if you have minimal damage that is visible, like scratches and dents – you’re still gonna want to fix that ASAP.  A dent is considered ‘serious damage’ because they may cause structural issues with your bumper and can lose its main purpose – absorbing energy when you get into a collision or an accident to minimize damage to the rest of your car. Even though scratches are considered ‘aesthetic damages’, they can cause rust overtime if you don’t take care of it. So, whichever type of damage you have – just head over to our Charlotte Toyota body shop just to make sure everything is ‘A Ok’.

How Much Does Car Bumper Repair Cost?  

When it comes to car bumper repair costs, there’s not going to be a definitive answer. It all depends on the make and model of your N Charlotte Toyota, the year, damage, and material that your bumper is made of. Here are some basic car bumper repair cost estimates: 

• Traditional Dent Repair: This type of car bumper repair can start at $150.

• Paintless Dent Repair: This type of car repair is when our  Charlotte Toyota body shop techs use special tools to pull out dents without affecting the paint on that spot. Typically, it’s cheaper than traditional dent repair and quicker – it starts at around $70.

• Cracks, Holes, and Punctures: This car bumper repair cost varies on how deep and large the damage is – it can start at $300…yikes. Watch out for those potholes!

• Scratches: These types of car repairs can cost $50 and up. These are typically cheaper than other car bumper repair cost because they aren’t too hard to fix since they’re usually just on the surface and not too deep

Car bumper repair cost is more affordable than car bumper replacement cost. With car bumper replacement, you’ll need to pay for the bumper AND car paint. Usually, minor damage is easy to repair at Toyota of N Charlotte, and you’ll only need a bumper replacement if there’s severe damage.

Is DIY Car Bumper Repair Okay? 

We’ve mentioned this before, but it is important to mention again – even if you get into a minor car accident, it’s a good idea to get your vehicle checked by our Charlotte bopy shop  experts. This is what could happen:

• damaged lights: your fog lights, headlights, and turn signals could be damaged in acar accident.

• damaged sensors: you might be surprised to know that damaged sensors can run your bill up a whole lot if these get damaged. The sensors that could get damaged are your parking features, airbags, weather, collision warning system, lane changing system, cruise control, and backup feature.

• damaged cameras: you’re going to need to check it out because your bumper has cameras in the back.

And if you decide later on to check it on, it might be more expensive in the future. It will also bring the value of your car down when it’s time to upgrade to a new Toyota.

How to Get a Dent Out of a Car Bumper? 

If you’re thinking about DIYing your car bumper repair, you totally can! But, here are some pointers to remember.

• Dents that are in soft plastic are easier to repair than dents in metal.

• You might end up leaving it for the experts to fix your car bumper repair because you’re going to need special tools to have access behind the bumper. But, if you have those tools – proceed with caution!

• You should apply heat to the dent to make it easier to work with – you can use a heat gun, hair dryer, or even boiling water (but be careful with boiling water as it might touch your skin). Also, don’t apply heat for too long as it might ruin your car paint.

• Lastly, use something rubber-tipped to push the dent out until it pops back to normal.

How to Remove Scratches From Car Bumper? 

You might wonder how to remove scratches from a car bumper. Well, you can DIY it to save some money. But remember that doing it incorrectly can cause more damage than you already had. 

• Light scratches are relatively easier to fix. Complete a quick test to see if it’s doable: roll your fingernail across it. If it doesn’t catch your nail, then it’s small enough to buff out with sandpaper, a microfiber cloth, or a polishing compound.

• Minor scratches can cause damage to the base coat but you can still DIY this! These types of scratches can be removed with sandpaper, a microfiber cloth, or a polishing compound.

• Lastly, deep or major scratches are much harder to remove and require special tools and a paint job to top it off. It’s better if you leave this to the pros at our dealership if you come across this.

Stop by Toyota of N Charlotte! 

Do you need more tips for your car bumper repair? Just stop by Toyota of N Charlotte at 13429 Statesville Road. Take exit 23 off I-77 in Huntersville.