Used Car Care Tips

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Check fluids regularly: Be sure to check your transmission fluid, brake fluid, oil, and all other fluids. The owner’s manual for your vehicle should have a layout of where to find all of these and will give you instructions on how to check them.
Check air filter: If your air filter is not checked regularly to make sure it is clean and without clogs, this could cause a huge problem with your vehicle.
Replace wiper blades: When wiper blades get to the point where they tear and crack, this can leave streaks on your windshield. Streaks on your windshield can cause limited visibility especially in inclement weather which can cause a whole chain of dangerous events such as an accident.
Check lights on your vehicle: These lights include turn signals, hazard lights, brake lights, taillights, and headlights. By checking these on a regular basis, you can prevent accidents as well as unnecessary tickets.
Check tire pressure: It is suggested to check the pressure at least once per month on average. Refer to your vehicle’s owner manual to find out the best practice.
If you follow these simple steps we guarantee you will have less worries when it comes to your vehicle.
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2006 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 4dr Sedan w/Automatic

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Price: Email for Price  Vin: Click Here for VIN
Mileage: 110,482 miles  Stock #: 12372 
Exterior: Black  Engine: 2.5L I5 Natural Aspiration 
Interior: Black Leather  Transmission: Automatic 6-Speed 
Trim/Package: 2.5 4dr Sedan w/Automatic 2.5 4dr Sedan w/Automatic  Fuel Type: Gasoline 
MPG City/Hwy: 19 city / 28 hwy

Prepare Your Car for Winter Weather

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Winterizing your vehicle is a wise idea, says the Car Care Council.  An investment of an hour or two to have your vehicle checked is all it takes to have peace of mind and help avoid the cost and hassle of a breakdown during severe weather.
“The last thing any driver needs is a vehicle that breaks down in cold, harsh winter weather,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “A vehicle check before the temperatures drop is a sensible way to avoid the inconvenience of being stranded out in the cold and with the unexpected expense of emergency repairs.”
The Car Care Council recommends the following nine steps for winterizing your vehicle.
  1. Have the battery and charging system checked for optimum performance. Cold weather is hard on batteries.
  2. Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a general rule of thumb, this should be done every two years.
  3. Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly. Consider winter wiper blades and use cold weather washer fluid. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.
  4. Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.
  5. Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Consider changing to “winter weight” oil if you live in a cold climate. Have your technician check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.
  6. If you’re due for a tune-up, have it done before winter sets in. Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.
  7. Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item.
  8. Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.
  9. Check to see that exterior and interior lights work and headlights are properly aimed.
Motorists should also keep the gas tank at least half full at all times to decrease the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing. Drivers should check the tire pressure of the spare in the trunk and stock an emergency kit with an ice scraper and snowbrush, jumper cables, flashlight, flares, blanket, extra clothes, candles/matches, bottled water, dry food snacks and needed medication.
The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Smart Reasons for Buying a Used Car

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If your goal is saving money, buying a used car rather than a new one can save you big bucks in several ways.
New cars typically depreciate about 20 percent when they are driven off the lot. Most cars will lose another 10 percent in value during the first year. That’s a 30-percent loss in value during the initial year of ownership. A $30,000 car loses roughly $9,000 in value during that period. You can avoid that hit by buying a one-year-old used car. One-year-old used cars are hard to come by, but it’s becoming easier to find two- and three-year-old used cars.
A key factor in determining the cost of car insurance is the value of the car. Because a used car has less value than a newer version, the cost of insurance should be less. As with car insurance, the fee that states charge to register a car is often based on the car’s transaction price. Many states are increasing registration fees in an effort to generate more revenue. Buying used is an effective way to stunt those increases.
Stretching your car-buying dollar is another benefit of buying a used car. You can buy more car by purchasing used rather than new. You may not be able to afford that new luxury car you’ve lusted for, but one that’s two or three years old may fit your budget.
Companies such as Carfax and AutoCheck produce vehicle history reports. Based on the car’s vehicle identification number, or VIN, these reports provide an array of valuable information including verification of the mileage and whether the vehicle was ever declared a total loss by an insurance company. Consumers worried about a used car’s potential hidden problems can also buy a certified pre-owned car. Certified pre-owned programs vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but in essence, certified pre-owned cars are vehicles that meet a manufacturer’s established standards and carry some form of guarantee against defects similar to a new-car warranty.