Are You Ready To Hit The Road?

COVID-19 has changed the way we approach everything, car repair isn't any different. As the summer heats up so is the desire to travel. Especially since most of us have been under some sort of lockdown or quarantine for the last several months. With a case of cabin fever, we are ready to hit the road – It's estimated that Americans will take nearly 700 car trips this summer – likely in vehicles that have been sitting idle for a while. It’s always important to have your car fully inspected before embarking on a long road trip but even more so now if you’ve been driving less. Like erything else since COVID-19 has arrived, a trip to your local repair facility may be different than before.

Do You Hand Wash Your Vehicle?

Nothing makes your vehicle look better than a good wash. It’s important for good maintenance and to help you enjoy your ride. The best car wash can happen in your driveway with a hose, some soap, cleaning mitts and a few buckets of water. Pick a good location. You don’t want to clean the car in direct sunlight or direct heat as the soap will dry onto the car before you can rinse it off. Car-Lotta advised you to aim to wash the car in the early morning or late evening and don’t wash it near a dusty road or under a tree where buds, bugs and leaves can fall and stick to the car. Make sure your hose has a nozzle with enough pressure to spray the car and one that allows you to stop the water flow when you want. This way you’re not running water throughout the entire process.

Is Your Vehicle Read For Spring?

Winter's tale is almost ended (we hope) — and so it's time to take stock of the damage done to your auto after months of snow, ice, sleet, road salt, cold, and all the many travesties of the season departed. Modern vehicles are engineered to take some serious abuse, so unless yours remained buried under a snowbank, you shouldn't have to do too much. But you will have to do a few things. Here are a few that are worth it: WASH your car! CHANGE your wiper blades! CHECK your wiper fluid level. CHECK your oil. CLEAN your floor mats. CHECK your tire pressure — (don't forget the spare) and check the condition of your tires and brakes. SWAP out emergency gear. REPAIR scratches. CONSULT your maintenance schedule.

Thinking Of Trading Your Vehicle?

Before you head to a car dealership you should research the value of your current vehicle using a tool like Kelley Blue Book. Knowing your trade-in value will let you know if the dealer’s offer is fair. Make sure you shop around. You should get at least three estimates from competing dealers. This can help ensure you get top dollar for your old car. You can trade in a vehicle if you owe money, but it’s important to know that debt still comes out of your pocket. This means you’ll ultimately get less cash from your trade. Owe more than your car’s worth? Expect that negative equity to get rolled into your next loan. A deep clean and a record of repairs can make your car more marketable, and possibly fetch you a higher trade-in price. So keep that extra paperwork for some added bargaining power. You’ll need to negotiate. Just because a dealer makes a trade-in offer doesn’t mean you have to accept it. Following the above tips, like getting multiple offers and knowing your car’s trade-in value, can be powerful negotiating tools. Car-Lotta reminds you that following these tips can help increase the value of your trade-in, getting you into a new vehicle for less cash. Once you get the keys to your dream vehicle, you’ll need to make sure it’s protected.