Memorial Day

Memorial day is observed on the last Monday of May to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the military. This Federal Holiday 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 30th, in observance of the holiday. We will re open on Tuesday, May 31st at 9:00 am.

Just Buckle Up- Click It Or Ticket

Car-Lotta is reminding motorists to Just Buckle Up, because a click can save your life. A seat belt is your best defense against injury or death in the event of a crash. It increases your chances of surviving a crash by up to 60 percent. Still. too many motorists still refuse to buckle up for a variety of reasons. There's No Excuse Not To Buckle Up FACT: Three out of four crashes occur within 25 miles of home. Fact: You can still be thrown from a vehicle even if you are riding in the back seat. If you are unrestrained, you also pose a risk to others in the vehicle with you. FACT: Police departments are increasing nighttime enforcement. In addition, there are more high-risk drivers on the roads at night, such as impaired drivers and drowsy drivers, which may present increased risk for a crash. FACT: Wearing your seat belt is the best defense for you and your baby in the event of a crash. Adjust the lap belt so that it fits snugly over the hips and pelvis, below your belly. FACT: Less than one-half of one percent of all injury crashes involves fire or submersion. Also, national research has shown you are 25 times more likely to be killed if you are ejected from the vehicle. Pennsylvania participates in the national Click It or Ticket campaign, where more than 600 municipal police departments and Pennsylvania State Police conduct enforcement during waves in May and November. If you are a driver or passenger under 18 years of age, you must buckle up. Children under 8 years old must be properly restrained. If you are a driver 18 or older and police pull you over for another violation, you'll receive a second ticket if you or your front-seat passengers aren't wearing seat belts.

Why Do You Pay So Much For Your Auto Insurance?

What ends up on your insurance bill depends largely on both what you drive and how you drive… as well as other things related to your overall life. Here are the most common things that affect the price of your auto premium. KEY FACTORS RELATED TO WHAT YOU DRIVE: Safety ratings Vehicle safety ratings are determined through tests and evaluations by the auto industry and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Insurance companies supplement that information by collecting large amounts of data from customer claims. Safer vehicles are often less expensive to insure. Insurance companies carefully track data on vehicles to determine which makes and models are more prone to mechanical or safety issues. Cost of maintenance and repairs Information about the cars that are cheapest to maintain and service can also be a good indicator of the most-affordable cars to insure. Vehicles that have lower reliability ratings can be a warning light of potentially higher insurance costs, because insurance companies take the data about maintenance and service of specific models into consideration when determining premium rates. You may think a smaller car means a smaller insurance premium. But not so fast. In an accident, larger vehicles tend to fare better – and keep occupants safer – than smaller vehicles. That can translate to lower premiums for a larger vehicle. If your car has an alarm, a tracking device to help police recover it, or another theft deterrent, it's less attractive to thieves… and less expensive to insure, too. KEY FACTORS RELATED TO HOW YOU DRIVE: It’s not just about the car, but also the driver. Here are some key ways how you drive can factor into insurance pricing. Are you a road warrior, or a homebody? The difference will show up in your premium rates. Someone who drives only a few miles a week will likely pay less for auto insurance than someone who covers hundreds of miles most weeks. It just makes sense, the more time on the road increases the chances of being involved in a crash or sustaining damage to your car. Your credit history Research has shown that good credit is connected to good driving – and vice versa. Certain credit information can be predictive of future insurance claims. When permissible, many insurance companies use credit history to help determine the cost of car insurance. The bottom line: Good credit can have a positive impact on the cost of your car insurance. Crash rates are higher for all drivers under age 25, especially single males. Insurance prices in most states reflect these differences. If you're a student, you might also be in line for a discount. Most car insurers provide discounts to student-drivers who take driver-safety training and start building a safe driving record. One key factor that goes into insurance pricing is largely out of your control – at least in the short-term. That’s where you live. Generally, due to higher rates of vandalism, theft, and crashes, drivers in more densely populated areas may pay more for car insurance. If you do live in a higher cost insurance area, make sure to pay close attention to the other factors that you can control. An ERIE agent can help. Car-Lotta reminds you that doing your homework makes a difference It’s no fun getting an unexpected surprise about insurance costs. Doing some homework upfront about potential auto insurance rates, you can make informed decisions and better understand why your rates go up or down.

How Old Is Your Battery?

In general, your auto will usually need a new battery after three to four years. Replacing your battery is another part of routine maintenance. Getting your battery checked and inspected is standard for your service visits after three years, even if you haven't needed it replaced yet. To help the life span of the battery.... TURN OFF ALL ELECTRONICS BEFORE YOU TURN OFF YOUR ENGINE Your battery’s primary function is to provide the power needed to start your engine. Once your engine is running, it acts as a generator that supplies power to your battery. If your air conditioning is left on when you turn off your car, the next time your turn your key in the ignition, you’re tasking your battery with starting the engine AND starting the AC, which puts an added strain on your battery. For the same reason, unplug external electronics like cell phones and iPods before you turn off your engine. DON’T RUN ANYTHING ELECTRIC WHEN YOUR ENGINE ISN’T RUNNING Your battery is made to start your car, not to power your headlights and radio. If you’re sitting in your car waiting for someone and you need your headlights on or want to listen to your radio, just keep your engine running so that it generates the electricity to power your battery. KEEP YOUR BATTERY TERMINAL CORROSION-FREE Even if you have no idea what’s going on under the hood, you can easily identify corrosion on the battery—it’s a chalky white buildup. Clean it off with baking soda mixed with water: dip an old toothbrush in the baking soda water and scrub the terminal clean, use a water spray bottle to rinse the terminal, then dry with a clean cloth. Be sure to wear rubber gloves when doing this—they call it battery acid for a reason. PARK IN A GARAGE WHENEVER POSSIBLE Extreme heat and cold can both drain your battery’s power. INVEST IN A BATTERY TENDER If you don’t use your car for extended periods, invest in a battery tender. An idle battery slowly loses its charge. To keep an idle battery at full capacity, it should be charged every six weeks. The cost of a battery will vary based on the year of your vehicle, model and who you’re purchasing the battery from. On average batteries for newer vehicles cost anywhere from $80 to $150. Premium batteries for luxury vehicles can run as high as $200. Keep in mind, that cost doesn’t include installation or your mechanic’s labour. A reputable mechanic shop will probably charge an average of $70 for installation.

When Will Auto Prices Come Down?

We all know it- Auto prices have reached an all-time high since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In November 2021, the average used automobile cost 41% more than pre-pandemic. Fortunately, car prices could return to normal sometime this year. Conditions will gradually improve throughout 2022. If you have a used car to sell, we recommend that you do it sooner rather than later to get the best price. If you’re looking to buy a used car, uyou may want to hold off for as long as you can into 2022. If you can wait until early next year, you’ll be even more likely to get a deal (or at least a fair price).