Is Your Vehicle Ready For 2020?

In a few short days   we will be welcoming in 2020 !

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

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 !   

Happy New Year!!

Did Your Vehicle Start Today?

It happens..... You are already to head out  and click-click-click-click.

A dead battery can be 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 portable 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.

Car-Lotta reminds you to be prepared!  

Did You Have Ice Or Snow On Your Windshield This Morning?

Did you walk out the door this morning to leave for the day and find .... ICE OR SNOW ON YOUR WINDSHIELD?? 

Here are a few tips to get you through those days when the ice is just too thick to melt and scraping it off is a must.


1. First thing to do is start your vehicle engine. This will allow heat to travel up to the windshield and start the melting process naturally.

2. Turn your vehicle defroster on low. Turning it on high is not a good idea when the windshield is full of ice, this could cause the window to crack.

3. Use an ice scraper to remove the ice from your windshield. This tool is specially designed just for this annoying problem.

NO Ice Scraper?? Keep Reading: 
 

4. Kitchen utensils are not only good for cooking, they are also good for removing the ice of your windshield. Plastic spatulas work wonders on thin ice.

5. Keep salt in arms length when winter arises. NOT cooking salt, but salt that is grainy. Take the salt and pour it on the windshield, then with gloves on, rub the salt onto the windshield. Step back for a few minutes so the salt can start to melt the ice away and then start scraping.

6. Try this simple homemade solution - One of the best ways to remove the ice off of your windshield is a simple mixture that contains items you find inside of your house. Fill a spray bottle with one cup of water, one cup of rubbing alcohol and one cup of vinegar. Shake well and spray it all over the windshield. Let it sit for about five minutes and watch the ice just roll down the glass. You can try scraping it as well, but usually all you need to so is spray and watch.

7. This might sound a bit strange but .... but you can plug a blow dryer in a waterproof extension cord and point it at your window when iced up. Don't turn it on high, keep it on low and move slowly across the windshield until you see the ice slowly disappear. This process may take a bit of time.

You can always AVOID ice on your windshield by investing in a piece of cardboard shaped to the size of your windshield. Place it on the windshield the night before a freeze, then remove in the morning with no worries about scraping or melting the ice off. All you have to worry about is keeping yourself warm.


Car-Lotta reminds you to BE PREPARED!

Looking For Some Holiday Cash?

Looking for some extra cash for the holiday?   

Do you have a vehicle you want to sell??

We buy ....

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

* the years we will buy are from 2009 to 2016

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

* we do not buy salvage or reconstructed vehicles

* the price range is from $1500 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.

How Well Do You Know The Four Way Stop Rule?

Do you have good driving techniques and constantly do your part to practice safe driving methods?  It is  important to know and understand how a 4-way stop properly works.

1. When you approach a 4-way stop, whether it’s at a traffic light or stop sign, it’s important to slow down and come to a complete stop. You’ll want to pay attention and take notice if there are any other vehicles stopped around you or any vehicles coming up to the 4-way stop.
2. Make sure that you have come to a complete stop within the indicated lines on the road. You can move forward if you have trouble seeing, but only after you’ve come to a complete stop. Failing to do so can  result in a traffic ticket.
3. Take a look around and see if there are any other cars at the 4-way stop. If you’re the only vehicle at the stop, then you have the right of way and are free to go. Remember this golden rule: automobiles leave the stop sign or traffic light in the same order in which they arrived at the stop. If you arrive at a 4-way stop first, then you get to leave first. If you’re the last person to arrive at the stop, then you will have to wait until the other three cars have moved on before you can do the same.
4. There are times when automobiles will arrive at a 4-way stop at the same time. Therefore, when this occurs, it’s important to know which vehicle has the right of way. The car that is furthest to the right is allowed to go first. Though this is the appropriate and legal method, there are still motorist who don’t always follow this rule. To avoid accidents, you may choose to wait a few seconds before moving forward. Just because it’s technically you're turn to go, doesn't always mean the other vehicles will allow you to do so.

Car-Lotta reminds you that the road doesn’t have to be a dangerous place. In fact, most accidents can be avoided. Stay safe out there!

Traveling For Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving  is  undoubtedly the busiest travel time of the year. Traffic and travel snags meet travelers at nearly every turn. With  some thoughtful planning, you can ease some travel headaches whether you're heading home for the holidays or escaping for a drama-free adventure.

 Regardless of your plans, you'll be thankful for these Thanksgiving travel tips.

 

1. Plan out an alternate route

More travelers mean more cars, and more accidents, make sure you have at least one alternate route planned out that you can take to avoid huge delays. Try to plan your route along less popular freeways. Even if the mileage is a bit more it will be worth it when you’re driving 65 for that extra 10 miles than stuck locked in traffic for an extra 2 hours. This is also a good idea for those traveling very long distances where weather may be an issue.

2. Have a connected navigator

It doesn’t do you any good knowing about a great alternate route when you’re already swamped in traffic, so try to have a passenger that can look online at the traffic as you go. There are tons of great apps out there like Sigalert.com, Waze, and INRIX Traffic. With the help of your passenger and one of these apps you can see where the trouble areas are on the road and proactively avoid them. If you plan on going it alone make sure to pull off the road before using your phone. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of single passenger vehicles.

3. Leave at an awkward hour

Driving at night may not be fun, but it is a great way to avoid the traffic saving you time and stress. Consider resting all day and not getting on the road until 9pm. It is important to make sure that you get plenty of rest before setting out on a long night drive, as fatigued driving creates a huge hazard on the road.

4. Make your drive on Thanksgiving Day

 

Generally the traffic is much lighter across the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day itself, meaning that you can avoid the hassle of traffic the day before and get where you’re going without having to leave at a strange hour or risk sitting in traffic for hours. Unless you are traveling an extreme distance, leaving at 6 am Thursday morning should give you more than enough time to make it wherever you are going in time for dinner.

5. Leave Early!

Sunday is by far the worst day to be making your return trip, and the traffic will only increase as the day goes on and the last of the stragglers are getting back on the road. Friday is the best day to hit the road for the return trip. Of course that does not leave you a whole lot of time to visit the family if you just drove up the day before, consider taking off the following Monday and returning then. That way you’ll miss all of the holiday traffic, and have an extra two days to spend with the family — OK, maybe just leave Friday.

 Car-Lotta Wishes You A Happy Thanksgiving.

Our offices will be CLOSED on Thursday, November, 28th in observance of the Holiday. 

Do You Know The Risks Of Fall Driving?

It won't be long before  snow will start  falling (ugh) . 

Fall driving can be unpredictable because of weather changes, the end of daylight saving time and the start of school. 

Know the risks and prepare! 

Watch out for kids. Early in the school year, youngsters often haven't developed the habit of looking for moving traffic before they cross the road leaving a school bus. It's illegal to motor past a stopped bus in most places. And buses are beginning to use cameras to catch people who do drive by when the "Stop" arms are extended and the lights are flashing. Older kids driving to and from school are a danger, and in danger, too. "Teen crashes spike  as kids head back to school, and happen more often during hours when school begins and lets out.

Beware of darkness. It comes earlier anyway as the year ages, and that's accelerated when clocks most places in the U.S. shift back to standard time in early November. While just 25 percent of our driving is at night, 50 percent of traffic deaths occur then, according to the National Safety Council. Also, a 50-year-old driver might need twice as much light to see as well as a 30-year-old, NSC notes. And at 60 years and older, we generally see road signs less clearly, we have more trouble judging speed and distance, and glare begins to bother us more.

Be critter conscious. You're 3.5 times more likely to hit an animal - especially a deer - in November than at any other time of the year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety cautions. Deer are likely to be mating in November and that's why you see more of them.. About 1 of every 100 drivers will hit a deer during the driver's life behind the wheel.

           Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales reminds you to drive safe.

How Often Do You Drive At Night?

We all know there are plenty of driving hazards to worry about during the day – f rain-rain- snow-deer-potholes. Driving at night adds a completely new set of challenges.

Why? It all comes down to one word: visibility.

During a clear day, you might be able to see thousands of feet ahead of you. But when the sun’s down and your headlights are on, that visibility can be reduced to as little as 150 feet!

All this means that when driving at night, you have less time to react. It’s important to make sure you’re seeing things clearly.
 

Here are few tips for driving at night......

• Check your vision. Even if you don’t wear prescription glasses, poor night vision may warrant a trip to the eye doctor. As you age, it’s common to have more difficulty seeing at night. Blurry vision, trouble seeing objects or experiencing glare from lights are all reasons to schedule an appointment. Correcting your vision with glasses or contact lenses could put an end to your night-driving woes.
• Get a clear view. A dirty windshield or worn windshield wipers can add an extra layer of difficulty to nighttime driving, especially if the rain starts to pour. For increased visibility, always make sure your windshield is clean and replace your wipers if they start to streak.
• Clean your headlights. Road grime can easily cover your headlights and dim their beams. Old, oxidized plastic housings can make lenses foggy. Remember to clean your headlights periodically and pick up a headlight restoration kit at your local auto parts store if your lights look cloudy or yellowed.
• Dim your dashboard. Bright infotainment screens and dashboards aren’t just distracting – they can also make it difficult for your eyes to adjust to low light. Use the dimmer switch in your vehicle to turn down the lights and improve your nighttime visibility in the process.
  
• Leave the night driving glasses at home. Like many “As-Seen-On-TV” products, night driving glasses aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Tinted lenses can help during the day, but anything designed to limit light at night is counterintuitive. Your eyes will adjust to low light on their own. If it’s hard to see at night, try the above tips before investing in these yellow shades.

The most dangerous trips you take are the ones that happen after the sun goes down. Following these tips can keep your visibility at its best, helping you maintain a clear view of the road ahead.

At Car-Lotta  we’re focused on the road ahead, too.

Did You Remember To Fall Back?

 The afternoons are about to feel a whole lot shorter!!

Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, Nov. 3, across the United States, which means earlier sunsets and longer nights.

The time change officially takes place at 2 a.m. local time, but you don't necessarily have to move the big hand on your clock behind an hour. The change is automatic for most smartphones, computers, tablets , some automobiles and other digital devices.

 

Not every state follows Daylight Saving Time. Most of Arizona and Hawaii, along with some U.S. territories.

Car-Lotta reminds you to double check ALL your devices!

Thinking of Trading Your Vehicle In?

There’s nothing better than that new car feeling. Before you drive your new ride off the lot, you often have to decide what to do with the vehicle in your driveway. You have two options when it comes to getting rid of a used car: selling it yourself or trading it in. There are pros and cons to each. A private party sale can net you a higher profit, but it also takes a lot more work. Trading in your vehicle to the dealer is fast and easy—but it will probably net you less cash.

How To Get The Best Trade-In Value For Your Car

• Know the value. Knowing your trade-in value will let you know if the dealer’s offer is fair.  • Shop around. Every dealer prices trade-ins differently. Experts recommend getting at least three estimates from competing dealers. • Debts make a difference. Owe more than your car’s worth? Expect that negative equity to get rolled into your next car loan and budget for it appropriately. • Prepare for the sale. A deep clean and a record of repairs can make your car more marketable, and possibly fetch you a higher trade-in price. • You’ll need to negotiate. Just because a dealer makes a trade-in offer doesn’t mean you have to accept it.

Car-Lotta reminds you that following these tips can help increase the value of your trade-in.

Do You Ever Leave Your Keys In Your Car?

It seems like a no-brainer.... Take your keys with you when you get out of your car!!!

While vehicles thefts overall are decreasing, car thefts with keys left inside are increasing.
 

A report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that there were over  126,603 car thefts with keys left inside between 2012 and 2016.

 

The research revealed interesting information about where and when car thefts with keys left inside were most common:

• The top five states for car thefts with keys left inside during this reporting period were California, Texas, Florida, Michigan and Ohio . 
• Saturday was the most common day for car thefts with keys left inside followed by Friday  and Monday.

Car thefts with keys left inside are especially unfortunate because they don’t need to happen. With so many advanced anti-theft technologies for autos out there, leaving your keys in the car is an open invitation out there for car thieves.

 

Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales reminds you- NEVER leave your keys in the car!!

Did You Ever Have A Dead Battery?

Did you ever  have one of those wonderful days when your car won’t start? If you left your lights, radio, or some other electrical gizmo on after you parked the car, you know what the trouble is: Your battery is dead.

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.

Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales does not want you to be stranded-

Did You Know That October Is Fall Car Care Month?

                       

 Why not take some  time to be car care aware and make sure your vehicle is ready for the harsh winter weather ahead? Taking a few simple steps now can save you the headaches and cost of an emergency breakdown later.

 Whether you do it yourself or take your car to a professional service technician,  Car-Lotta Car Sales recommends five proactive steps to make sure your car is ready for winter driving.

 

1.    Battery – Keep the battery connections clean, tight and corrosion-free. Cold weather is hard on batteries, so it’s wise to check the battery and charging system. Because batteries don’t always give warning signs before they fail, it is advisable to replace batteries that are more than three years old.  

 

2.  Heater, Defrosters and Wiper Blades – Check that the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system are working properly as heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons, such as defrosting. Fall is also a great time to check your air filter. Wiper blades that are torn, cracked or don’t properly clean your windshield should be replaced. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months. When changing the blades, be sure to also check the fluid level in the windshield washer reservoir.

 

3.    Tires – Check the tires, including the tire pressure and tread depth. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly as tires lose pressure when temperatures drop

 

4.    Brakes – Have the brake system checked, including brake linings, rotors and drums. Brakes are critical to vehicle safety and particularly important when driving on icy or snow-covered roads.

 

 

Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales  reminds you that getting  your vehicle ready for winter while temperatures are still mild is a proactive approach to preventive maintenance that helps ensure safety, reliability and fewer unexpected repairs when severe winter weather strikes.

Do You Cancel Your Motorcycle Insurance During The Winter Months?

Temperatures are  starting to dip. Most   motorcycle riders typically start the process of topping off their tanks, adding fuel stabilizer, and other details that go along with retiring a bike to storage for the winter. This is also when some riders start to wonder whether they can save a few dollars by temporarily cancelling insurance on their bikes.

Should you drop insurance on a motorcycle that is in winter storage? It may be tempting, but, if you give it some thought, you'll probably find that it's not the soundest practice.

 

Why You Should Keep Yourself Protected?

You have to be certain that your bike will remain in storage for the entire season. Even if your area is hit with unseasonably warm winter weather, if you cancel your insurance, you'd have to fight the impulse to take it out for a ride or..... you'd be out there without a policy to protect you against an accident or some other unfortunate event.

You should remember that your bike still faces risks when it's supposedly "safe and sound" in storage. Theft, fire, vandalism and storm damage are all possibilities. If you  cancel your insurance, and something were to happen to your bike, you'd likely be left to pay the damages or the repair costs out of pocket.

Another important consideration: You may not actually realize any savings by cancelling your policy over the winter. Insurance companies vary, but some may take into account the typical riding season in your state when they price a policy (even if it's spread over a 12-month period). That means you may not actually receive a refund for canceling your winter coverage. You should check with your insurance agent to determine if seasonal coverage options are available.

 

Car-Lotta Cr Sales suggests that you  talk it over with your agent. You may discover that there are some untapped opportunities to help reduce the cost of your motorcycle policy — and that they not only help you out in the winter months, but year-round.

Do You Honk Your Horn?

We all know that honking a horn incessantly can be irritating for everyone on the road. You SHOUDLN'T  honk because you’re frustrated at another driver. You SHOULD honk only to warn other drivers that they’re coming too close to you or if someone is stopped at a green light.

Different honks might signify different warnings to other drivers. A quick beep means “Heads up. I’m here!” Slightly longer and louder beep says “Hey, the light’s been green for 10 seconds” or “Watch it!”

               Car-Lotta reminds you to HONK as NEEDED!

Did You Ever Sneeze While Driving?

You might not hear much about the dangers of sneezing while driving, it fits into the category of distracted driving and causes more accidents than you might think.

Accidents happen for various reasons, but even fatal accidents can be  caused by something as simple as a sneeze.

What should you do if you have to sneeze?

 Pull over

Probably the most effective way to avoid a sneeze-induced automobile accident is the simple act of pulling over to sneeze. Most people can feel a sneeze coming on, and that means you should have enough time to pull your vehicle over to a safe shoulder before giving yourself over to the sneeze. Drivers may travel up to 50 feet with their eyes closed while sneezing so, if possible, pull over to sneeze.

 

Stop the sneeze

It’s not comfortable or technically healthy to stop a sneeze in its tracks, but it is possible. If you have very intense sneezes and think you could endanger yourself and your passengers if you don’t do something, you can try these techniques if you feel a sneeze coming on to stop your sneeze:

• Pinch your upper lip
• Put your finger under your nose
• Squeeze your nose
• Grab the spot between your eyebrows
• Distract yourself by thinking about something else
• Flick your forehead