Co You Have A Fall Maintenance Checklist?

Get your car ready for fall and winter.

Fall vehicle maintenance checklist:

Completing this preventative maintenance checklist is a way  to  help your vehicle adjust to seasonal changes.

You may not associate fall as a time to complete a seasonal preventative maintenance checklist.
While most of the items on this checklist are geared toward winter driving, it’s much smarter and easier to do them during fall when the weather is milder and less threatening. This is  especially true for NEPA residents.

So, let’s get started!
Fall Vehicle Maintenance Checklist:

1. Check your oil level, and add oil if necessary; it’s even better if you perform an oil and lube job. Be sure to use a multi-grade viscosity oil for winter driving.
2. Test your battery ( for free at most auto parts stores) . If it needs to be replaced, most will install the new battery for no extra fee.
3. Inspect your windshield wipers. Bitter cold, snow and ice are hard on their rubber blades. 
4. Fill your windshield wiper reservoir with the proper type of windshield fluid for your climate.
5. Look at the level and condition of your engine coolant. If the level is low, add antifreeze. If the condition looks poor, do a flush-and-fill.
6. Check your belts and hoses. If you see any evidence of fraying, cracking or leaking, get a new belt or hose immediately.
7. Consider getting a tune-up, especially if it’s been 30,000 miles or so since your last one. At the least, perform a visual inspection of your spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor.
8. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. When dealing with sloppy or icy road conditions, you’ll need the best traction your tires can deliver. If your tires are worn, replace them before winter arrives.
9. Apply high-grade car wax to your vehicle’s exterior to help protect it from the possible onslaught of snow, ice, sleet and freezing rain.
10. Put together a winter car survival kit. Jumper cables, flares, ice scrapers, road salt, flashlights, flares, blankets, first aid materials and snacks are all good to include in your kit.

Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales wants to make sure all of our customers our prepared no matter what the weather bring! 

How Long Will Your Current Vehicle Last?

                              It’s official, Americans are keeping their vehicles  longer.
 Maybe it’s because of uncertainty about the economy, or because manufacturers are making better cars, but the fact is that the average American is keeping his or her car for more than a decade now. The average car on the road is 11 years old and nearly 8 out of 10 drivers plan on keeping their next car for at least 10 years as well.

What does it take to keep a car running smoothly for a decade? It may be  easier than you think. Whether you prefer to spend the weekend taking care of your car at home, or feel better letting a certified mechanic handle the tune-ups and repairs, there are more resources than ever both online and inside garages to help you keep your car running smoothly down the road.

The following 3 secrets will help you stay on top of your car’s care to keep you on the road instead of on the side.

1. Know your mileage checkpoints.  Each vehicle has slightly different manufacturer’s specifications for service checks. Find yours in your vehicle’s manual to know what mileage markers your car will need a check-up and which components of your car will need to be watched carefully.

2. Ask a friend to drive. While you drive your car every day and are accustomed to what you call its “quirks,” your friend will be able to tell if something feels wrong. Ask them to look for soft brakes, your steering wheel pulling to either side, funny noises, or anything unusual.

3.  Make the time preform  the following: 

• Tire check
• Exterior light check
• Wiper blade check
• Under hood inspection:
  • Battery
  • Battery cables
  • Air filter
  • Belts
  • Hoses
  • Fluids
• Under car inspection:
  • Brakes
  • Steering and suspension
  • Drive axles

Preventive maintenance is without question the most effective and least expensive way to keep your car running for a decade or longer. Regular automotive checks can help prevent costly repairs in the future and keep your car and its passengers safe. However, sometimes repairs are unavoidable, so set aside money each month in case of emergencies. Smart planning along with proactive, preventive maintenance can keep your car running smoothly and safely down the road, and that’s worth a fortune.

At Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales- We perform a thorough inspection of all our vehicles before the are ready to be sold to our customers. 

Can You Change A Flat Tire?

It is good to know how to change a flat or damaged tire.Like everything, with a bit of instruction, when faced with a flat tire you should be prepared.

 * The first thing you need to do it identify which tire is flat, could be bulging from the low air pressure and look flat compared to the others. However if you have trouble you could use a digital tire pressure gauge to tell you which tire is losing air.

 * The second thing you'll need to do is get the required tools, in new cars the tools will most definitely be with the spare tire or in the trunk somewhere. Older cars may not have these tools as the previous owner may have kept them or lost them. (a tire iron /socket wrench and car jack) are all there in case you need them.

 There should be a specific point on the body work of the car that is designed for the jack to attach to, using the tools, find the point and ensure the jack stays in place. You should be careful to make sure you don't use the jack in the wrong place as this can damage the bodywork or trim. Before raising the car you will need to loosen the nuts on the wheel you are replacing, this is because the wheel will simply spin round if you try to loosen the nuts once elevated. Be sure you are on level ground and base of the jack is solid and not wobbly.

 Make sure you loosen or tighten nuts in opposite pairs; this is the safest way to use wheel nuts according to mechanics.

 * Once the wheel nuts are loose, begin raising the car up on the jack, only raise the car as much as is needed, any more and you could make the car unstable and it could fall off the jack. It is always safest to use a jack on a clear flat surface so it doesn't slip, if you have stopped on gravel you could place a piece of strong flat wood underneath the jack to secure it.

 Once that car is raised on the jack remove the wheel nuts completely and lift the wheel away from the car, you need to store this wheel in your car. Next you need to bring out the spare tire and place it on the car, attaching the wheel nuts again. Once they are as tight as you can get them, lower the car off the jack and tighten up the nuts again with the tire iron or wrench.

 * Your car should now be safe to drive, however depending on the vehicle, your spare tire may not be suitable to drive on indefinitely so it is advisable to drive to your nearest garage or tire store to get your main wheel repaired. It is also important to remember that some spare wheels are only designed to be used at low speeds so consider this if you are traveling on a highway.

 

Car-Lotta Credit an Car Sales  wants you to drive safe!

How Will You Celebrate Labor Day ?

Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. In high society, Labor Day is (or was) considered the last day of the year when it is fashionable for women to wear white.


Labor Day marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. NCAA teams usually play their first games the week before Labor Day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day. Most school districts that started summer vacation in mid June will resume school near this day.



The first Labor Day in the United States was observed on September 5, 1882, in Boston, by the Central Labor Union of New York, the nation's first integrated major trade union. It became a federal holiday in 1894.Singed into law as a National Holiday by Grover Cleveland.


All Car-Lotta Credit locations will be closed Monday September 7th  in observance of Labor Day.



We will re open Tuesday September 8th, at 9:00 am.