Monday, January 31, 2011

January Trivia Answer

The Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales January  e~letter trivia answer   is...




Question: "Why are manhole covers round?"
 This is actually a  famous interview question asked  by many companies.



Answer:  The most common answer is simply that a round manhole cover can't fall into the hole it covers. But  there's more than one answer. Heavy, round manhole covers are easier for one person to move by standing it on end and rolling. Also, you don't have to "align" a manhole cover to it's hole. Any orientation will do.




If you did not get it right, try again next month. Good Luck!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Taking Care of Your Vehicle During the Extremely Cold Weather

With the sub-zero temperatures here, you may want to take extra care of their vehicles. Very cold, extended, weather can wreak havoc on your car . Here are a couple of tips:

 Park your vehicle in a garage if possible to avoid a dead battery.

 If you need a jump, make sure the cables are attached correctly.

 Don't pour hot water into frozen locks, you're more likely to damage your car, than unfreeze the locks.

 Watch your tire pressure, the super cold will reduce it.

 Warm your car before driving for a bit to get the oil moving over all the engine parts.



A little preventative maintenance is better than being stranded out in the cold. Here are a few things you can do to keep your car running without problems in the winter months:


Use lower grade oil during the winter. If the oil is too thick, the engine does not get the proper lubrication. See your owner’s manual for the recommended oil grade for winter season.


Check and maintain antifreeze, also called coolant, levels. It keeps the water in your radiator and engine from freezing in cold temps and from boiling over in the summer. It also lubricates the moving parts, like the water pump. It is suggested that you put at least 50% antifreeze in your radiator.


Check your vehicle’s battery. Having a poor battery can result in bad starting conditions in your car. Look for cracks and brakes in your cable or have a mechanic check it to make sure your battery is good.


Look for deterioration on belts and hoses. You want to check wear on hoses such as hardening and softening. Give a good squeeze to check for leakage, cracks, or other damage on the exterior of the hose to determine if they need to be replaced. Also check your car’s serpentine belt for cracks, cuts, pieces missing, or if it is noisy when running.

Get quality windshield wipers and windshield washer fluid with anti-freeze solution to ensure you have good visibility.


Check the heater and windshield defroster for proper operation. It is a good idea to check the air-conditioner, which speeds up the defrost process.

Check your tire pressure as air pressure in a cold tire drops (read your owner’s manual to find the proper tire inflation). Tire pressure is important during the winter due to low traction in wet or snowy road conditions. It will also help protect against wheel damage when your vehicle drives over potholes. While you’re at it, check the spare tire for proper inflation too.


You can do much of this on your own but it is a good idea to take your vehicle to a reliable mechanic to ensure your car is running smoothly.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Fuel Saving Tips

Here are some tips to help you reduce the amount of gas you use.



Avoid Excessive Idling~Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas at idle than do cars with smaller engines.

Use Cruise Control~Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.

Use Overdrive Gears~When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear

Congratulations if you are already following these tips, you are probably getting the best gas mileage your vehicle  can deliver!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Driving Sensibly Can Save You FUEL

Did you know that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.24 per gallon for gas?

Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas and can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases at speeds above 60 mph.


Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.

Monday, January 10, 2011

A Few Things to do for YOUR 4 Wheeled Friend

Purchasing an automobile is one of the biggest investments you'll ever make. It makes sense to protect your investment from the typical wear and tear that comes with age. It is your responsibility while your vehicle is financed  to regularly maintain your vehicle at your own expense. Any damage due to the lack of maintenance or the use of wrong fuel types, oils or lubricants is NOT COVERED by your Limited Warranty.


Here are a few easy things you should do for your 4-wheeled friend:

Find the right mechanic. Keeping your car running well doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive if you find a mechanic you trust. Your local Car-Lotta Branch will be able to help you with recommended service shops in your area.

Make sure to get it serviced frequently, and stick to the schedule maintenance timetable. This includes things such as changing your oil, rotating tires and checking the fluid levels (oil, transmission coolant (anti-freeze). It also means not forgetting larger items like timing belts or water pumps and brakes.

Get your vehicle Inspected once a year …. Remember, Pennsylvania requires a Safety and in some counties Emission Inspection yearly.

Regular maintenance is important to keep your car safe. With proper care your car will last longer and some of the possible problems can be avoided.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Any Recalls on Your Vehicles?

      Did you know that you can Sign Up To Get Email Recall Alerts For Your Vehicle?

NHTSA has made it easier and faster to receive important email alerts on recalls for up to 5 vehicles.
You can also subscribe for alerts on recalls for child seats and tires.

   Visit   http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/subscriptions/index.cfm

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year

                           Happy New Year !

                from all of us at Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales

December Trivia Question Answer

December Trivia Answer  .



The Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales monthly e~letter trivia question for December  was:
                           

                        What is the  Greatest snowfall in a day?


                 Thanks for  the over 50 responses received


        If you did not get it right, try again next month. Good Luck!



The Correct answer: 75.8 inches (Silver Lake, Colorado; April 14-15, 1921)