How Much Is Your Car Payment?

Did you know that the percentage of car buyers paying more than $1,000 every month for their vehicle is higher than it has ever been. The average car payment for new and used vehicles combined is $643. The average monthly payment for a new car is $754. The average monthly payment for a used car is $533 We strongly advised you don’t extend your auto loan longer than 42 months. Longer terms may mean that you pay less every month, but you’ll pay more over the life of the loan. You’ll take on more debt, which could hurt your credit and severely limit your borrowing power. You risk becoming “upside down” on the loan, which means you could potentially end up owing more than it’s worth. At Car-Lotta we offer short terms loans usually 27-36 months. In many cases, our payments are lower than a normal car dealers and our loan process is quick and easy.

Did Your Car Start In This Cold Weather ?

Baby it's cold outside ! A weak battery that struggles to produce enough power in cold temperature in the freezing weather may be the reason. Cold weather significantly reduces a car battery's ability to hold a charge, making it harder to crank the engine. In cold weather, engine oil becomes thicker, which puts extra strain on the starter motor. If moisture gets into your fuel lines, it can freeze in extreme cold, preventing fuel from reaching the engine. If your car is getting older and it's possible that the starter is just getting too weak for the cold weather. You can try jump starting the your car. Warming up the battery by letting your car sit for a few minutes with the headlights on to provide a small charge to the battery Make sure the battery terminals are clean and securely connected. Turn the ignition key slowly and steadily, allowing the starter motor to engage properly If your car still won't start, contact your mechanic or roadside assistance service.

Is Your Dashboard Lit Up Like A Christmas Tree?

If you’ve seen it before, you know that the imagery is very accurate. Instrument clusters in modern vehicles are packed with so many warning lights that it can be difficult to keep track of what they all mean. All those lights and symbols tell you what your car is up to and, more importantly, if something is wrong. The 6 Things A Warning Light Can Indicate: The severity of an issue A DTC may or may not be stored A system is active A system is disabled Emission levels have increased Component damage is imminent It’s amazing how such a simple warning system can have so much thought and design behind it. From Our Car-Lotta family to yours, have a Merry Christmas!

Come On... You Know You Want To.

Planning to go all out with your holiday decorating this season? You still have time. Why not intall some Christmas lights on your car? This may be a fun way to show off your Christmas spirit. Remeber that there may be local laws that technically prohibit having any kind of distracting lights on a car. However, if you’re doing it for a specific event, like a parade or a tailgate party, go for it! It can be tempting to want to completely deck out your car with lights on your first try. However, it is best to begin with a small fixture that you can easily remove in case something goes wrong during installation. To make your car decorating process even more foolproof, use battery-powered lights instead of the ones that need to be plugged in. Here’s a quick guide on how to put Christmas lights on a car. You’ll need: Power inverter Christmas lights (quantity and length based on your choice) Zip ties Electrical tape Ladder or stool Not fgeeling so techy but still want to show some holiday sprit? You can also: Add a wreath to your spare tire Clip-on antlers Add Christmas decals

Do You Eat In Your Car?

The holidays are officially upon is. For many, this means parties and gatherings with friends and family. Many will likely be packing up food to share. You should not leave food in your car for more than two hours, or one hour if the temperature is above 90°F. Bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses can double every 20 minutes at room temperature. If you do need to leave food in your car, you can try these tips to keep it safe: Use a cooler Take perishable items home right away: Don't leave food in the trunk: Don’t travel with hot and cold foods together. Keep hot foods hot by packing them in insulated bags or containers. Keep cold foods cold by packing them in coolers with ice, frozen water bottles or ice packs to maintain safe temperatures for as long as possible. You should also avoid eating while driving. It can be bad for digestion and increase the risk of choking

When is the Best Time Travel Long Distance To Avoid Traffic?

The best time to leave to avoid traffic on a long drive is before 6 am. If you are traveling by car you should aim to avoid rush hour congestion by starting your road trip first thing in the morning.It's best to be on the road before 7 am to avoid unwanted delays. The busiest time to drive is between 4 pm and 7 pm in the evening from Monday to Friday. Heavy traffic is due to a large number of commuters driving home and other road users traveling for social reasons. You should drive early in the morning rather than late at night in order to prevent the risks associated with driver fatigue. The roads will be quieter during the night which may reduce your journey time but safety should always be your priority. Leaving first thing in the morning when you are rested will lead to a safe and comfortable trip.

Do You Know What Today Is?

The day following Thanksgiving—commonly referred to as Black Friday—has become one of the busiest shopping days of the year in the United States. National chain stores traditionally offer limited money-saving specials on a wide variety of goods in an effort to lure shoppers into stores while offering similar deals online. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 39% of private-sector workers get a paid holiday, with 69% of public-sector workers also enjoying the day as a paid holiday It is a state holiday in Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia. In Nevada, the day is known as Family Day. In Indiana, the day after Thanksgiving celebrates Lincoln's birthday while Georgia observes Robert E. Lee's birthday The popularity of this holiday is understandable. As Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday many add this day as a holiday to create a four-day weekend. Shops are open and this day has come to mark the start of the Christmas shopping period. Black Friday is followed by other shopping holidays, including Small Business Saturday, which encourages shoppers to visit local retailers, and Cyber Monday, which promotes shopping online. Giving Tuesday has also emerged to spur charitable donations.