Crash-Proof: 5 Tips for Safe Winter Driving

It seems that every winter, when the first flakes begin to descend from the sky, drivers everywhere panic and seemingly forget how to drive safely in snowy weather. You don't have to be one of them. With a little preparation and a lot of care, you can stay safe on the roads, even when other drivers aren't quite as cautious.

1) Gear Up: If you're anything like us, you've been hauling around a trunk full of beach mats, toys, umbrellas, and empty coolers since the end of May, in case of a summer beach party emergency. Time to clean out the summer stuff to make room for essential winter driving gear. You'll need a snow shovel, in case you get stuck and need to dig out. You'll also need a bag of sand, which serves two purposes: Sand provides traction for your tires in case you're stuck. Additionally, a bag of sand is heavy, which adds ballast (weight) to the back of your vehicle, which will help preventing sliding.

Put a blanket, some extra winter clothes, a first-aid kit, and an emergency road kit into your trunk in the (hopefully unlikely) even that you find yourself stuck in the elements, awaiting rescue.

Make sure the tires you have on your vehicle are weather-appropriate, depending on the climate. For places that don't get much snow, good all-weather tires are probably sufficient. But if you live in Alaska...well, chances are you don't need these tips because your studded tires have been on since mid-September.

2) Fill Up: Check all of the fluids in your vehicle and replenish them if they're low, especially your windshield wiper fluid. If you have to ask why, then you've never been stuck on the freeway behind a semi-truck as it obscures your windshield with mud and dirt. Speaking of which, consider swapping out your wiper blades for winter blades. And keep and extra container of wiper fluid in your trunk, if you still have room in there.

When the weather starts getting rough, don't drive around with less than half-a-tank of gas in your car. You may find yourself idling longer than usual, due to weather-related traffic back-ups, and nobody likes running out of gas, especially when it's cold. Keeping your tank full will also stop it from icing up.

3) Tune Up: Stop procrastinating your car's tune-up. Get it done now. Ask your mechanic to check the battery, hoses, belts, ignition system, oil level, lights, and heating system.

4) Buddy Up: If at all possible, avoid traveling alone. Carpooling is not only good for the environment and saving wear and tear on your vehicle, it also means someone is there to take the wheel if you become sleepy, or help you navigate unfamiliar territory. 

5) Head's Up! Let's face it: Just because you're prepared doesn't mean that bad things won't happen. All the extra blankets in the world won't help you if another driver's car is out of control. Drive smart: Leave early so you don't have to rush on slick roads. Allow plenty of room between your vehicle and the one in front of you in case of sudden stops. Go slow. Use your headlights. Save your aggressive driving for video games. It will only make you a menace in real life, especially in the snow and ice.

Auto Masters of Smyrna

56 S Lowry St

Smyrna, TN 37167

(615) 625-7200

http://automastersofsmyrna.com/index.cfm

The Checklist - What to do before heading out to the lot!

There are several strategies to consider before purchasing a used car. It is easy to save time and money by preparing before you approach a car dealer. A checklist is the best way to keep track of the important things to do before you arrive at the car dealer. Understand some of the best questions to ask and make sure you are ready for negotiations. The process can be more enjoyable and easier for all involved.

Creating a list of items that are important to consider when purchasing a used car is easy to do. A checklist could include the following:

·         Trade in value

·         Car information

·         Dealer preparations

·         Questions to ask

·         Review car dealers

·         Negotiating

In determining the best trade in value for your car there are three steps you can take. First, you can check online for the Kelly blue book value. The second step you can take is to call a car dealer and ask them to give you the approximate trade in value, including the wholesale and retail value. The third step is to call the vehicle manufacturer and understand the best trade-in value. The trade-in value for your used car could be discussed after you pick the car that you would like to purchase.

Determine what meets your needs and have your questions ready. Questions are important and a printed list might be better to take with you to the dealer.

The following are questions you can ask when you call a dealer or visit a lot:

How willing are you to make this deal in the next hour?

How have you maintained these vehicles that are sitting on your lot?

How much is this car costing you as it sits on the lot each day?

How does this vehicle compare to other cars similar to it?

What is the best deal on the lot?

Can you tell me about the previous owner of this car?

Does the vehicle have a clear title?

Is the car ready to be purchased?

Are you willing to accept a price of 3% over the invoice cost?

Is it easier to buy a car that is listed in an auto auction?

Negotiating is an important part of purchasing a vehicle. The questions you ask will help you determine the best way to structure your deal. Your preparation can help make the deal easier to arrange and save you significant amounts of money.

There are some dealers that will include a tank of gas, floor mats, oil changes, and one car wash within the first 30 days. Request the best deal for your used car and go through your checklist with confidence. Enjoy your purchase and appreciate the amount of time and money you saved by using a checklist.

Auto Masters of Smyrna
56 S Lowry St
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 625-7200
http://www.usedcarssmyrnatn.com/

Buy Here Pay Here - Buying Quality Used Cars

You have options today when buying a used car or truck. There are newspaper classifieds, online classifieds and Craigslist. We’ve even seen cars lined up from individual owners in a big box store parking lot with for sale signs in the windshields.

Then of course there are used car dealers, some who even offer buy here pay here options.

Where to Start

Your starting point is deciding your current situation, and where you want to be by the end of any transaction.

What is your budget? Can you get financing? What payments can you afford? Do you want a car to just get around in or do you want something with a little style? Do you have a car to trade in?

You’ll also want a least an idea of the type of vehicle you want to end up. Two doors? Mini-van? SUV?

Once you assess your situation, you have three general choices.

The “Do-it-yourself” Approach

Buying a vehicle from a previously unknown individual carries a lot of risks. Other than a short test drive, you probably have minimal knowledge of the vehicle’s true mechanical condition. “Oh, he SAID he changed the oil every 3,000 miles” isn’t going to get much sympathy from your mechanic when he has to replace the engine.

Buying a car from a blind ad is like stepping out in the old west. There are people who are willing to take advantage so buyer beware.

No warranty. No vehicle history. No relationship. You may end up with a successful transaction, but buying a vehicle is usually a significant transaction. Why take the risk?

Buying a Used Car from a New Car Dealer

While many new car dealers have a good selection of used cars, the salespeople spend the vast majority of their time learning about the details of their new car lines. In some cases they may be no more familiar with a particular used car on the lot than you are. They buy used cars in bulk with profit margin as their main focus.

While they have reputations to uphold, the sheer volume of sales makes an individual customer just a little less valuable. Most new car dealers are big business, and the business is moving cars.

Buying From a Used Car Dealer

The days of the fast talking, sunglass wearing, plaid suit-coat wearing used car salesman are long gone. Ok, mostly.

You’ll find used car dealers today who support fundraising efforts in their communities, serve on local school boards, and spend money at other local businesses. Many are owned by hands-on, hardworking individuals and families who take pride in building their business.

What this means is that a used car dealer can care about you not just as a customer, but as an individual. They want to do business with you again. The cars on their lot are likely individually selected by them…hand chosen so to speak because of their mechanical reliability.

A used car dealer will generally offer some type of warranty, and buy-here-pay-here dealer’s offer financing for those who may not qualify otherwise. This allows for payments that can allow a buyer to get into a much newer vehicle than previously thought. It many cases the down payment is also small.

If you are in the market for a previously owned vehicle, consider the benefits of buying from a used car dealer, and even one that offers buy here pay here options.

Auto Masters of Smyrna
56 S Lowry St
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 625-7200
http://www.usedcarssmyrnatn.com/