Is Your 4 Wheel Baby Ready For 2017?

Here are a few easy things you should do for your 4-wheeled friend in 2017 :

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.

Car-Lotta Credit assures all of the vehicles for sale are serviced  before leaving the lot !  

Will You Be Traveling Over The Holiday?

 Christmas and New Year’s holiday periods are among the busiest long-distance travel periods of the year.  During the Christmas and New Year’s Holiday period the number of travelers rises  23 percent, compared to the rest of the year.  Although heavy media attention focuses on crowded airports and bus and train stations,

most long-distance holiday travel, (about 91 percent)  is by personal vehicle, such as by car.

 

 

Christmas and New Year’s travel period, and the resulting travel pattern, varies depending on the day of the week on which the two holidays fall. When Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on  a Tuesday, the Saturday and Sunday preceding Christmas and Christmas Day are generally the busiest travel days.  The days immediately following Christmas were generally busier than New Year’s Day and the two following days. If   the holidays are on Thursday,  no doubt will change the travel patterns during the  holiday period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visiting friends and family is the single biggest reason Americans travel during the holidays. Visits account for 43 percent of long-distance trips during Christmas and New Year’s. Visits make up only 24 percent of all long-distance travel during the remainder of the year.  

 

 

 Travelers who begin trips during the holiday periods are younger than travelers during the rest of the year. The average age of  Christmas/New Year's  travelers is slightly above 36 years. During the remainder of the year, the average age is almost 38 years.

 

 

 

 

During the holiday periods the percentage of male travelers is lower than during the rest of the year when 58 percent of long-distance travelers are male.  During the Christmas/New Year’s holiday period 54 percent of travelers are male.

 

  

          Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales will be CLOSED on Saturday, December 24th 2016.

                                               Merry Christmas from all of us!

 

 

How Does Your Vehicle Like The Cold Weather ?

It's here..... The cold weather is upon us!!

Vehicles, like many human, tend to not function as well when it’s cold. Just as it’s necessary for people to bundle up in coats, hats, and gloves in cold weather,  your auto needs a similar kind of attention. 

Maintaining your vehicle can help prevent problems during extreme weather. You may still may find yourself out in the cold because your car doors were frozen shut or your car won’t start because of the arctic temperatures.

Here are a few tips to help keep this from happening: 

     Drive your car. Subzero temperatures can cause car batteries to freeze, but driving or running the car reduces this risk.

      Before parking your car for the night or for an  extended period of time, make sure there’s plenty of gas in the tank. The cold weather can cause condensation to form on the walls of an empty tank, which may lead to frozen fuel lines

     If your  locks are frozen try  petroleum jelly to melt the ice. Dip the key into it and hen insert it into the lock. Once in the lock, try to wiggle the key, but do not force the key to turn. You may have to repeat this  step a few  times.

     Make sure  your tires are properly inflated. Tire pressure can affect handling, gas mileage, and steering, 

     Take the time to scrape your windows clean. If  wipers are stuck to the windshield and you turn them on, you could cause a lot of problems, including burning up the wiper motor. 

                  Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales can help you with your automotive needs-

 

Things You Should NOT Do To Your Automobile

You probably rely on your vehicle  every day to get you where you need to go. How well can your car rely on you?

                There are some things you should never do to it.



                                            Several  things to never do to your car  

 Put off the recommended maintenance. There’s a reason the car manufacturer gives you that little book when you buy a car. It contains important maintenance guidelines for the age and mileage of your car. By following what it says, you can keep your car running smoothly and safely—and save on having to pay for big repairs later on.

     Ignore any warning lights. Most cars come with a check engine light and other warning lights. If any warning light goes off, it’s time to take your car to a qualified mechanic ASAP.

   Never change the air filter. A fresh air filter keeps your engine running smoothly and improves your car’s fuel efficiency. Most manufacturers suggest you replace your filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles.

    Never check your tires’ air levels. Not having the right tire pressure makes for unsafe driving and reduced fuel efficiency. Most vehicles list tire pressure requirements on the driver side door post so you know how much air to give your tires.

    Have an unqualified person work on your car. Take the time to find a qualified car mechanic. (Keep in mind that you could qualify as “unqualified” if a repair is beyond your skill level.)

    Rev the engine during the winter. Doing this doesn’t warm up the car—in fact, it can cause damage since the oil hasn’t yet worked its way through the engine.

      Leave keys in the ignition of an unattended car. This is one of the easiest ways to tempt car thieves—especially during the winter.

    Run your gas tank down to empty. Doing so cuts the life of the fuel pump—and puts you at risk of running out before you get to a station.

    Rarely wash your car. A thorough wash helps preserve the exterior of your car. That can ultimately help your car retain its resale value. A good wash is especially important during winter, when road salt does a number on cars. -


                             Car-Lotta Car Sales wants to know if you are  guilty of any of these?

Need Some Holiday Cash?

Looking for some extra cash for the holiday?   Do you have a vehicle you want to sell??


We buy ....

* cars, trucks, pickups, minivans, SUV's and 4X4's


* the years we will buy are from 2007 to 2012

* mileage can be from 50,000 to 155,000 miles

* we do not buy salvage or reconstructed vehicles

* the price range is from $500 to $5,000



In less than 30 minutes we'll give you a price to buy it from you and if you have your drivers license and the title of the vehicle with you, you can leave with the check in your hand and no hassles



Do you have a car you want to sell? Give us a call, or email us: mjayne@carlottacredit.us.

Will You Be Traveling For Thanksgiving?

If roads and airports seemed crowded last Thanksgiving, it’s time to pack a little more patience as hundreds of thousands more travelers head out for turkey and stuffing in  2016.

Nearly 47 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home for the holiday from the Wednesday  before through Sunday after the holiday. Amid all  the trimmings, airlines are expecting to average 65,000 more passengers each day than last year around the holiday.

 If you’re one of the more than 46 million Americans traveling this Thanksgiving, we urge you to be patient and to carve out plenty of time to arrive at your holiday destination safely.

Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales will be closing  at 5 pm on Wednesday,   November 23rd and CLOSED on Thursday, November 24th in observance of the holiday.  We will re open on Friday,  November 25th at 9:00am.

 

How Would YOU Handle An Auto Accident?

An auto accident can leave you frazzled!   The following steps can help make the minutes after a accident less stressful. 

 

1. Move to a safe area (if possible)

If it's safe to do so and you aren't seriously injured, move your vehicle  out of further harm's way.  If this  isn't possible, turn on your hazards to warn other drivers that your vehicle isn't going anywhere any time soon.

2. Exit your vehicle

Make sure your car is not  moving, turn off the engine, shift into park, or set the e-brake. Take a moment to take a deep breath. Check to make sure it's safe to get out of your car before opening the door. 

3. Check on others involved

Check on all the other  drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, to make sure no one is hurt. Call 911 if anyone is injured . Remember ..... Even a  minor symptom like dizziness should be checked out by a health care professional.

4. Call the police 

A Police Accident Report may  prove invaluable when dealing with your  insurance company and other drivers. Cooperate fully, and let the police objectively judge events and determine who, if anyone, is at fault in the crash.

 

5. Gather info

Try to write down as much info as possible  including:

• Driver and passenger names
• License plate numbers
• Insurance info
• Makes and models of all vehicles involved
• Contact info for any eyewitnesses
• Location of the accident
• The name and badge number of any responding police officers

6. Document the scene

Use  your  phone with to  snap some pics of the accident scene. They may come in handy during when dealing with an insurance company.

 

 

 Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales hopes you never have to use this information!

Are You Looking To Upgrade To A Newer Vehicle ?

At CarLotta Credit & Car Sales, we will take in just about anything that moves as a trade in, except farm animals. (Just kidding about the farm animals)

We have taken cars, trucks, minivans, motorcycles, boats, ATVs', trailers, quads, lawnmowers and tractors. As far as cars, we don't care how old it is, or how many miles it has on it... we'll consider it. And we'll take more than one car or vehicle in at a time if need be. We do need the title to the vehicle though. If the title is not in your name, we will need the legal owner present, and with ID, to take it as a trade in on your car.

The benefits of trading in are...
* the value of your trade in can be used to make up for some of your cash downpayment to make your car and loan more affordable
* you save some sales tax that needs to be paid to the state of PA as the trade in value reduces the tax owed
* you no longer have the insurance, maintenance or gas cost for a vehicle you no longer need
* if your trade doesn't run, we'll even tow it out of your property as part of the deal

Trading in your car makes sense. What do you have to trade?

Do You Own A Battery Charger ?

Dead batteries are a real  annoyance. You  never really know when your battery is going to need a boost. This  usually happens at the most inopportune time—and if there’s no one around to help out with jumper cables, you may need to pay a tow truck to have your vehicle towed to a mechanic. Then  pay your mechanic to fix the problem.

 A solution is to get  yourself a battery charger. You’ll be able to help yourself and probably  other drivers who break down as well. They are very simple to use and  relatively  inexpensive. It is a purchase worth the  investment  and  the time it takes to figure out   how to use  when you  weigh these  against the possibility of being stranded.

Looking For Your Next Vehicle?

Benefits Of Buying A Car From CarLotta Credit

Here are just a few of the benefits of purchasing your next vehicle from CarLotta Credit...

* Selling cars to people with credit issues, is our only business. This is  what we do since 1986 every day! Nothing you have to say is going to embarrass you or surprise us. We will make you feel comfortable and try to see if we can help you with your vehicle needs. No pressure to buy.

* All vehicles are serviced in our shop by qualified technicians. In fact, we spend for repairs and reconditioning on average over $1000 on every car we sell!

* All cars come with the exclusive CarLotta Credit warranty. 6 months or 6 thousand miles

*  Since the successful completion of your loan is our goal...we aim to have every vehicle, and payment affordable to your individual situation.

* Our cars are vehicles you can be proud to own.

* At CarLotta Credit, your on time payments can help you improve your credit rather quickly. We report to the credit bureau monthly, to give you the fastest improvement possible. Most of our competition DOES NOT report to the credit bureaus.

*   Our 3 convenient locations make your vehicle shopping very easy.

* Our web site offers on line credit info submission,  our blog, and a convenient way to make your payment 24/7 from the comfort of your own home.

This is only  a few reasons to make CarLotta Credit and Car Sales the place to buy and finance your next car!

Are You A Distracted Driver?

 Distracted Driving is NOT just texting. The same thing applies to eating and drinking – they shouldn’t be done while driving. Most cars these days come with cup holders, it’s true, but there’s nothing that says you have to use them while driving. Eating is even worse than drinking.  If you are  going to be eating you should either get out of your car to eat, or eat while the car is parked and then resume your driving. You may be thinking this sounds like overkill, but it’s not. Odds are you probably won’t have a wreck while sipping on a soft drink or eating a hamburger, but you’ve greatly increased your chances of it happening. Your odds of not having a collision are much greater if you don’t do these things.

Ask yourself this:    What would it mean for car safety if everyone on the road were eating a sloppy double cheeseburger while driving? Do you think car safety would go up, or go down? When you think about it that way it becomes clear just what safety risks eating and drinking in your car are. Fast food is sloppy and messy and often quite hot, and it can cause you to lose control if you drop it. Soft drinks are ice cold and can spill, having the same effect. Even without spills you just cannot control a vehicle as well with a drink or a burrito in one hand. It’s simply impossible.

 Car-Lotta Credit reminds you to .....Get out of the fast-food-while-driving habit ~ you’ll be safer.

Are Your Tires Ready For The Winter ?

It won’t be long..... Snow will start  falling. No matter where you live, fall is a good time to check your tires, especially if you will soon be facing  snow and ice.

Fall Tire Tips

1. Inspect your tires.  You can check the tread depth using a quarter, placing George Washington head-down in each major groove. If the top of his head is just about flush with the tread, then you will need new tires soon. Tires lose snow traction as they wear, being dependent on tread blocks for grip. So as winter approaches, you may want to buy a new set of tires sooner rather than later.
2. Find last year’s winter/snow tires. Check their tread depth, too. You’ll typically get three or four seasons out of a set of winter/snow tires, depending on the miles driven. Like all-season tires, winter/snow tires lose grip as they wear. There is no point in driving on worn-out winter tires, so replace them now.
3. Order  early. Some  people  buy a separate set of wheels for their winter/snow tires to make the seasonal tire swap easier. If you are considering buying extra wheels (rather than share wheels between two sets of tires), get them early to beat the rush, including the cheaper steel wheels often available for many cars. If you’re purchasing winter/snow tires online, you may be able to order them mounted.
4. Check the pressure. As cold weather approaches, you will see that tire pressure will drop about 1 psi for every 10º F drop in air temperature. This is why many drivers see a low-tire-pressure warning light on a chilly morning. It is good practice to check your tire pressure monthly, but it is especially important during months when the temperature is fluctuating. Be sure to check the spare tire, too.

           Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales reminds you to  keep your vehicle safe.

Are Your Headlights On?

Rain, fog and snow make it difficult to see the road and other cars. Turning on your headlights during inclement weather not only   helps you see better and helps other cars see you.....  It's The Law! 

 

 

In December of  2006, the Pennsylvania General Assembly enacted the headlight wiper law, section 4302 of the Pennsylvania Code. It went into effect Jan. 29, 2007. The intention of the law is to make vehicles more visible to one another in inclement weather.

The Law

The headlight wiper law states that a driver must turn on his headlights whenever he is using his windshield wipers continuously or at intervals in response to rain, snow, sleet, fog, mist or other weather condition.
 

Type of Violation

This law is considered a primary offense, meaning a driver can be pulled over and ticketed solely for not following the regulation.

The Fine

A ticket for violation of the headlight wiper law in Pennsylvania is $25. However, with fees and other costs associated with the violation, the total paid can approach $100.

                      Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales reminds you to Drive Safe! 

How Do You Drive In The Fog ?

Fog.....  a thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth's surface that obscures or restricts visibility.


Fog is something that obscures and confuses a situation or someone's thought processes.


Driving in fog is dangerous because visibility is reduced.

To keep safe, follow these five tips for driving in fog:

1.    Slow down. If you cannot see where you are going, do not drive fast. Use your speedometer as a guide to regulate your speed, because thick fog masks the sensation of speed by removing visual indicators of velocity.

2.    Use low-beam headlights. When visibility is restricted, a driver's natural tendency is to activate the high-beam headlights. When driving in fog, this further impairs visibility because the high-beam illumination reflects off of the fog and back at your vehicle.

3.    Use fog lights. If your vehicle has front fog lights, they can help illuminate the road and make your vehicle more visible to other drivers. Some vehicles have rear fog lights, which help motorists who are following you to see your vehicle from a greater distance.

4.    Use the right-side pavement line as a guide. In thick fog, use the white line painted on the right side of the road as a guide. Do not use the center pavement markings, because doing so will guide you to move closer to oncoming vehicles, which are also driven by people having trouble seeing where they are going.

5.    Do not stop on the road. When you cannot see where you are going, a natural reaction is to slow down or even stop. In fog, never stop on the road. Find a safe place to pull over that is as far away from traffic as possible and turn off your lights. Leaving your lights on may cause motorists to think that your taillights indicate the lane of travel, which could cause a collision.


 Car-Lotta reminds you to drive safe in all conditions

What Makes Car-Lotta Different

Here are a few differences between CarLotta Credit and other car dealerships....

* We know and assume that you have credit issues when you stop by, call or email us. We great you with a smile and a hearty handshake and appreciate your business. We understand that good people can and do have credit problems. At some dealerships, when you tell them you have credit issues, they may not be very happy about it or helpful.  

* Nothing you tell us is going to surprise us, or embarress you. For over 24 years we have helped people just like you. Anything you have to tell us, will be handled professionally and held in confidence. Selling and financing cars to people with credit issues is our only business, this is what we do.

* Most dealerships are trying to make as much money as possible on every customer they sell...at CarLotta Credit our #1 goal is to make sure the car is affordable to you and fits in your budget. We want you to be able to afford your payments and pay your loan. Its better for you, and us.

* We report your on time payments to the credit bureaus on a regular basis, this can improve your credit score over time. Most other dealers do not do this.

*  Most of our payments are set as weekly. This helps you judge your budget and stay current with your payments.

This is just a few of the things that make us different. Stop in, call, or email us and let us actually show you!

 

 CarLotta, www.carlottacredit.com

Want To Help Your Children Do Better in School?

School has started back up. CarLotta Credit and Car Sales thought these 5 ways to help your child do better in school could be very helpful. As a parent, after working a hard and long day yourself...it is easy to forget about your children's needs sometimes...

1) Listen. Listen, really listen without tv or other distractions, to what they tell you about their day. How do you feel when are trying to tell someone you care about, how your day went and they just "yes" you to death and watch tv? You can find out so much about your child just from this step. Are they feeling bullied? Are they happy with their teachers? Is the bus ride okay? Do they need help with their homework?

2) Read To Your Kids. When they are young, read to them. When they are older, read with them and encourage them to read on their own. If you feel books are too expensive to buy, there is always the library. The type of book or subject is less important then the actually reading. Set aside limited times for tv, video games and computer. This will give time for reading. How about trading 1 hour of tv for each 1/2 hour reading?

3) If they need help with their schoolwork, give it to them. If you do not feel qualified to help them with 7th grade math for example, ask around. You'd be surprised how many adults, and older kids, are good at school work...and are willing to help for free. You just have to ask. What help and support are available after school or in school?

4) Look at your child's homework and read their reports and papers. Give encouragement, maybe fix a spelling error or two and just show that you care. It is not about you helping them get an "A". It is about you caring about what they are working on and spending their entire day worrying about.

5) BE POSITIVE. It can be very difficult after a long day, but reward their effort with encouragement. How hard do you work if someone is on your case and negative every day?  How about hiding a funny card or note in one of their books or tablets to bring a smile during a hectic day, or before a test? The small things do help.

 If you love them...tell them and show them every day.
CarLotta, www.carlottacredit.com

How Well Do Your School Bus Stopping Laws?

It's that time of year- The kids are going back to school !

DID YOU KNOW........

1.5 million children are transported on Pennsylvania roads each day.

These children are transported more than 400 million miles to school each year.

Every year, children are needlessly injured or killed by drivers passing stopped school buses.

      Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Laws Are :

  When you meet or overtake a stopped school bus with red signal lights flashing and stop arm extended, you MUST STOP.
  

  When you approach an inter section where a school bus is stopped with red signal lights flashing and stop arm extended,  you MUST STOP.

  You MUST STOP at least ten (10) feet away from the school bus.

  You MUST WAIT until the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm has been withdrawn before moving.

  DO NOT MOVE until all the children have reached a place of safety.    

Penalties if convicted of violating Pennsylvania´s School Bus Stopping Law include:

*$250 fine

*Five points on your driving record

*60-day license suspension

 

How Will You Be Celebrating 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 5th  in observance of Labor Day.



We will re open Tuesday September 6th  at 9:00 am.

Do You Have $77.00 ?

The benefits to you, our customers of CarLotta Credit and Car Sales downpayments starting at just $77 are ...

* We know cash is tight in this economy, a low downpayment on a vehicle  that is serviced and comes with a warranty helps you keep money in your pocket for emergencies

 * Easy to afford

 * The low down payments give us a real reason to keep you as a  satisfied customer.

* We invest on average $1000 in repairs and service for every vehicle we put on our lot.

 * Not only will you get a vehicle , but also the chance to begin rebuilding your credit   

We have vehicles for  this down payment on our lot every day. Stop in and see us.

What Do You Keep In Your Car?

Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales would like to remind you...No matter what the weather, summer or winter, these are the 5 things you should always have in your car.

1) First Aid Kit. You never know what can happen. If you have kids, this is even more important. You might want to add a few extra bandages to the kit. They are small and are not affected by the temperature changes in your car.

2) Flashlight. The best one is the type that you hold in your mouth, or the kind that strap on your head. This will free up your hands for whatever might need to be done.

3) Jumper Cables. You left your lights on and the car won't start. The battery is old and  failed. This handy item is often used and easy to store.

4) Spare Tire. Whether it is a full sized tire or a space saver, check it to be sure it is the right size for your car and is filled to recommended air pressure. In addition, be sure you have the jack and tire wrench to remove the flat tire and put on the spare tire.

5) Blanket. In case of an accident, or illness,  a very comforting item.

All these items are reasonably priced and make your life much easier in an emergency.

Do You Know About Ride To Red ?

There will be a  new law in Pennsylvania  allowing drivers to go through some red lights.

The bill, called "Ride on Red," has been signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf. It allows drivers to exercise "due care" and make a decision to legally go through a red light.

The bill was proposed because motorcycles typically do not trigger traffic light sensors that make lights turn from red to green.

Now, when a traffic signal is unresponsive to a driver, the driver can legally drive through the red light, rather than waiting at the intersection.

The bill was initially only for motorcycle riders, but was expanded to include other vehicles.

It was signed into law on July 20th and takes effect in September.