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.