Memorial Day

This U.S. federal holiday is observed on the last Monday of May to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the military. Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. In other words, the purpose of Memorial Day is to memorialize the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. We spend time remembering those who lost their lives and could not come home, reflecting on their service and why we have the luxury and freedom that we enjoy today. We might consider how we can support and safeguard their grieving families and loved ones who are left behind. Car-Lotta Car Sales will be closed on Monday, May 31st, in observance of the holiday. We will re open on Tuesday, June 1st at 9:00 am.

What Is That Smell?

When you smell something stinky in your automobile, the first step is to find the source of the odor. Check in pockets, under seats, on and under floor mats, in the glove box, and in the side doors for anything that could be causing the smell like old food, spills, spoiled beverages, etc. Don’t forget under any seat covers. If your vehicle smells like something is burning, it may be that it’s overheated or you may be in need of an oil change. Park your car in the shade, open the windows, turn the floor air vents on, use the fresh air setting, and keep your eye on the car temperature gauge and also check your oil level. If you or a passanger is a smoker or purchased a used vehicle from someone who smokes, that could be the source of a smell. Cigarette smoke can get everywhere, including the vents and can be difficult to remove completely. If a child or pet got sick or had an accident, it could still cause odors even after you’ve cleaned it up. A deeper clean may be necessary to fully get rid of the smell. Mildew can be another source of unpleasant smells, caused by a buildup of condensation, a leak (like through a cracked window), or even spilled liquids. Another source of mildew smell could be your air conditioning system. Check if your floor mats are damp near the air conditioner, which can be a sign of an air conditioning unit condensation.

Do You Text While You Drive?

Picking up your phone to read or answer a text while you’re behind the wheel puts everyone’s safety in jeopardy. It’s estimated that around 660,000 drivers are on their phones at any point during the day. In the United States, texting and driving causes a quarter of all car accidents. Teen drivers are Four times more likely than adults to have accidents or near-accidents when they’re on their phones. Did you know that you are SIX times more likely to cause an accident when you’re texting behind the wheel than a drunk driver? Here are some tipe that can help you ‒ or a driver you care about ‒ overcome the temptation while doing your part to keep the roadways safer. TIPS TO STOP TEXTING AND DRIVING: Before you start the ignition, put your phone on silent mode and make sure it’s not on vibrate or turn your phone off altogether. Both options will eliminate the temptation to check your screen every time it rings, pings or buzzes. On most smartphones, you have the option to turn on some form of a do not disturb mode while you’re driving. There are even some apps you can download to block texts while you’re behind the wheel, including ones specifically geared toward teen drivers. Make it out of sight, out of mind. Rather than having your phone in your cup holder, your center console, or your hand, put it in a spot where you can’t see or reach it. If you have a passenger or two with you, ask them to keep an eye on your phone and handle any calls or messages you receive. If you’re a passenger rather than a driver, volunteer for the job ‒ and call out the driver if they’re being unsafe. If it’s absolutely vital to respond to a message, find a place to safely pull over, then park and answer. Model safe behavior. Talk to your kids about the dangers of texting and driving, explain the ways they can avoid it. If you have a teen driver, make your expectations clear about how they’re allowed to use their phone in the vehicle and be very specific about what will happen if they break those rules. Car-Lotta wants every driver expects to reach their destination safely.

Is There A Benefit To Put Money Down When You Buy A Vehicle?

There are benefits to putting a large down payment when financing it include: Lowers the overall amount financed saving on interest and finance charges. Decreases the loan to value which greatly increases your chances of being approved. Shows your commitment to the loan which suggests you’re less likely to default on the car loan. Lowers your overall monthly payment. You can finance for a shorter term and pay it off quicker. Less likely to be in a negative equity or upside down situation.

Do You Have To Put Money Down To Buy A Car?

Do you have to put money down on a car? The quick answer is “No, you don’t have to put cash down when buying a new or used car!” If you have an excellent credit score, long credit history, and are able to budget for the full amount of the monthly car payments, you will not be required to put any money down when buying a vehicle. If you have some bumps in your credit history or bad credit, the lender may or may not require a minimum of 10% down or more of the purchase price of the vehicle at the time of buying the car. Keep in mind, not putting money down when purchasing a vehicle will actually make you pay more for the car in the long run. When financing a vehicle through a bank or lender, any money borrowed will be subject to interest charges. If you don’t at least put enough cash down to cover your tax, title, license and fees. You will be paying unnecessary interest on it as well. The golden rule is, The less money you borrow, the less interest you will pay, the more money you will save. Car-Lotta Remids You – Always try to pay an extra $10, $25, $50, or more on the principal amount when making your monthly car payment. This extra money will add up over time and help decrease interest charges over the length of your car loan.