How Do You Take Snow And Ice Off Your Vehicle ?

Here are some tips worth remembering when it comes to getting the snow off your car: Snow and ice flying off your vehicle's roof can cause accidents and even fatalities. Do yourself and other drivers a favor and take an extra minute to completely clear off the roof. Clearing both the windshield and rear window: increases your visibility. Be sure to break up snow and ice buildup around your windshield wipers and washer fluid nozzles, too. Removing snow from the side windows and side view mirrors areas can be just as important as removing it from your windshields since this will enable you to have clear vision to traffic both from the side and rear. Uncovering your headlights and taillights will help other drivers see you—and that’s especially important in poor winter weather conditions. It’s often against the law in many states to have your license plate obstructed in any way. It literally takes just one swipe to clear it. Car-Lottta reminds you that Pennsylvania Drivers can be fined up to $1,000 when snow and ice flying off of their moving vehicle causes damage or injury to another vehicle or pedestrian.

What Are The Most Common Mistakes Of Winter Drivers??

Winter driving has its challenges. But throw an inexperienced — or inconsiderate — driver into the mix, and your daily commute can get much more difficult. It’s always aggravating when other drivers put you at risk. Getting stuck behind a driver who is spinning their tires or not paying attention isn’t just annoying… it’s dangerous. Winter driving calls for quick decision making, patience and a little bit of know-how. Below you’ll find ways to spot a rookie winter driver — and how to avoid looking like one yourself: Tailgating: Usually, drivers tailgate because they want the car in front of them to go faster. This is never OK, especially in the winter months. It takes longer to come to a stop in the winter, so you should always put more distance between you and the car ahead. Impatience on the road rarely pays off – tailgating just puts you and others at risk. Speeding: Speeding can get you into trouble quickly. Make sure you’re never driving faster than what is safe for the conditions. In snowy or icy conditions, that probably means driving below the speed limit. The faster you're going, the more likely you are to lose control or slide into another car. Expect traffic to move a little slower in the winter and allow extra time to get to your destination. Getting stuck: Driving through deep snow may sound like fun, but chances are it will leave your tires spinning. For your own safety, know when to stay off the road altogether and drive carefully to avoid losing traction in the first place. After all, getting stuck is easy – getting out isn’t. Ice on the windshield: If your car has snow or ice on the windshield, it can be tempting to save time by letting your wipers or defroster remove it as you drive. But driving without full visibility is like driving blindfolded. Use a snow brush or ice scraper to clear your windshield entirely every time you get behind the wheel. (And don’t just clear a little “window” you can see through!) Snow on the roof: If you’ve ever driven behind someone with snow on their roof, you know it can be an accident waiting to happen. If your car is covered in snow, take the time to clear your roof before you tackle the windows. You’ll keep snow from falling in your field of vision and from hitting the drivers behind you. Driving with high beams on: This can be frustrating in any condition, but some people think that high beams will increase your vision during whiteouts or heavy snowfall. In fact, fog lights and low beams will do much better. Learn what to do if you get stuck driving in a whiteout. Car-Lotta reminds you that just like other people's driving, winter weather can be unpredictable. Even the safest, most experienced driver can get into an accident.

What Questions Do You Ask YOur Auto Mechanic??

These days most auto owners aren’t properly informed about common issues. Many car owners simply assume their mechanics are able to find any problems, fix them, and prevent future issues. This kind of thinking isn’t a smart and it may cost you a lot of time and money. It’s smarter to inform yourself about the workings of your car, the costs involved in maintaining it, and common problems it may face. When you do bring your mechanic, there are a few questions you should ask in order to make sure they’re properly diagnosing your problem and can actually fix it. Here’s what you need to ask your mechanic the next time your car heads to the shop: Can You Show Me the Problem? What Happens if I Don’t Fix This? Can I Have a Written Estimate? Are the New Parts Under a Warranty? How Did You Fix It? Car-Lotta wants you to be well informed when it comes to your auto needs.

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.