Happy New Year

2020 has been a strange and difficult year. The pandemic continues to disrupt our lives and keep many of us apart from those we love the most. This is especially tough now, during a season traditionally marked by the gathering of family and friends in celebration and gratitude. Even in the most difficult of times, we can still find opportunities to be grateful. This year more than any other, we are thankful for the opportunity to have you as our customer. We are grateful and honored that you've chosen us to help you with your automotive needs during this time of uncertainty . We're going to get through this together. We know what being part of a community is all about. We would like to wish you and yours a safe and happy new year. Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales will be closed on January 1st 2021 in observance of the holiday.

Happy Holidays

2020 has been a strange and difficult year. The pandemic continues to disrupt our lives and keep many of us apart from those we love the most. This is especially tough now, during a season traditionally marked by the gathering of family and friends in celebration and gratitude. Even in the most difficult of times, we can still find opportunities to be grateful. This year more than any other, we are thankful for the opportunity to have you as our customer. We are grateful and honored that you've chosen us to help you with your automotive needs during this time of uncertainty . We're going to get through this together. We know what being part of a community is all about. We would like to wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday season. Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales will be closed on December 25th 2020 and Janyuary 1st 2021 in observance of the holidays.

What Happens If There Is An Accident In A Parking Lot?

Accidents happen! Parking lots can be crazy places. Whether you’re at the mall, the grocery store or even just grabbing a quick coffee… all those vehicles coming and going can up anyone’s chances of being in a parking lot accident. Ever wonder if your insurance will cover parking lot accidents? WHAT HAPPENS IF I HIT SOMEONE ELSE’S CAR IN A PARKING LOT? If you do hit a car in a parking lot, here’s what to do next: Don’t leave the scene. If you drive away without telling anyone, that’s considered a hit-and-run. You could face a whole other set of legal issues if a security camera or witness spots you in the act. So do the honest thing and stick around. Get out of harm’s way. Even a simple fender-bender can block traffic or scatter broken glass. Make sure you’re a safe distance from anything dangerous and be mindful of the flow of traffic. If needed, put your hazard lights on to alert nearby drivers. Try to locate the car’s owner. Ask a store employee to page the owner of the car over the loudspeaker. Leave a note. It’s the right thing to do… and potentially even the law. Not leaving a note is considered a hit-and-run in the vast majority of states, even if the damage was just a small scratch. Keep it simple and polite. Include your name, contact information, and a brief explanation of what happened. Leave it in a secure spot where it won’t blow away. Consider calling the police. If the damage is serious, they can help you file an incident report and track down the car’s owner. Car-Lotta reminds you to call your insurance agent. Your agent is there to answer questions and help you understand what’s covered.

Will You Be Traveling Over The Holidays?

The holiday season brings a number challenges that make safe driving difficult. During this time of year, there can be difficult weather conditions, limited daylight, and drivers in unfamiliar areas. Here are six ways you can drive safely and smartly this holiday season. 1. Plan Ahead Before you start your trip, make sure your vehicle is in good shape for travel. This is especially important for winter driving conditions. Check the weather before heading out to ensure the roads are safe to drive on. And don’t forget a windshield scraper! 2. Stay Fresh And Alert Make sure you’re well-rested before a long drive. A study carried out by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) discovered that, from 2009 to 2013, 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries, and 800 deaths were attributed to driver fatigue. Plan the trip so you share the driving and take regular breaks to avoid drowsy driving. 3. Mind Your Speed Give yourself plenty of time and distance to react to the traffic around you. An Automotive Fleet Magazine article notes that for every one percent increase in speed, a driver’s chance of an accident increases by two percent, the chance of serious injury increases by three percent, and the chance of a fatality increases by about four percent. 4. Drive Defensively Increased holiday traffic and winter road conditions can be frustrating. Put the safety of everyone in your car first by letting impatient and aggressive drivers pass you or go through the intersection ahead of you so that you control the situation. 5. Don’t Drive Impaired If you plan to drink, don’t plan to drive. NHTSA’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign has set out to end drunk driving through cutting-edge technology. Using a designated driver when you have a couple of holiday refreshments is always the safest choice. 6. Avoid Distractions According to Distraction.gov, the “Official U.S. Government Website for Distracted Driving”, sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds. At 55 mph, that’s enough time to travel the distance of an entire football field. Driving requires your full attention. When you’re able to do so safely, pull off to the side of the road or find the nearest rest stop when you have to use your cell phone.

Have You Seen Any Deer Lately?

Did you kow that that if you are involved in an accident in Pennsylvania with a deer your insurance company cannot add a surcharge to your premium? Under Pennsylvania state law, crashes involving deer are considered not-at-fault accidents, and insurance companies cannot add a surcharge to a policyholder’s premium as a result. This excludes drivers that do not come into contact with a deer. The autumn and early winter months have the highest rates of accidents involving deer, with November being the highest. Pennsylvania had the second highest rate of auto accidents involving deer in the country in 2019. Pennsylvanians have a one in 70 chance of being involved in a deer-related accident. Deer are most active at dawn and dusk, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Daylight savings time ends November 1, which means that more drivers will be making their daily commutes during these peak hours. To report a dead deer for removal from PA state-maintained roads, you can call the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation at 1-800-FIX-ROAD.

How Do You Get Your Vehicle Ready For The Winter?

Winter is almost here. Lower temperatures during this time of year can still cause issues with your vehicle. That’s why the right preparation is so important to safeguard your vehicle against cooler temperatures. Here are a few steps you can take to ensure your vehicle is ready for fall and winter. Change Your Oil Your owner’s manual will likely provide a schedule for how often your oil should be changed. However, changing before temperatures drop is a good idea regardless. Using a lower viscosity oil during the winter months is recommended, as thicker oils can have trouble flowing through your engine when temperatures go below a certain threshold. Test Your Battery Cold weather also increases your risk of a dead battery. Lower temperatures deplete battery power at a much faster rate, which means you might find your car unable to start at the most inopportune time. A battery tester is a great tool to have in your arsenal, as it can tell you the current condition of your battery. If you have an older battery with a lot of corrosion, it’s probably time for an update. Have Your Lights Inspected With fall and winter comes shorter days and longer nights. If you have a headlight out, your ability to see in the dark will be compromised. You’ll also have a greater chance of being pulled over and possibly even being ticketed for a traffic violation. Next time you start up your vehicle, have a friend or family member come outside with you for a light check. If there are any burned out bulbs, have them replaced as soon as possible. Schedule a Tune-Up There are many other components of your vehicle that can also be affected by winter weather, including belts and spark plugs. Scheduling a tune-up during fall gives you the big picture on the state of your vehicle. It also allows you to fix any issues before they get worse, and more expensive. Your mechanic can also top off fluids to keep your car running smoothly until next spring. Car-Lotta cares about your safety and well-being, which is why we offer automotive tips on how to properly care for your vehicle. Our core values, which include being trustworthy and hardworking, illustrate our commitment to you.

Do You Know How To Get The Best Trade In Value For Your Vehicle?

Do you know the value of your vehilce? Knowledge is power. 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.