Category Archives: New Cars

Inexperienced Drivers and their New Cars

Insurance, New Cars, Safe Driving, Tips and HInts

While ignorance is often bliss, when it comes to driving a car, ignorance is the passenger you don’t want to ride with.
It is so important for young drivers to get not only the necessary driving experience, but also a good background understanding safety issues, as well as being responsible for maintaining their new car

Young drivers between 16 and 19 are far more likely to be one car accidents than any other age group. Excessive speed, not knowing vehicle limitations and inexperience are the culprits.  Just because you pass your driver’s test doesn’t mean you are a pro behind the wheel just yet. There’s still a lot to learn.

Car Maintenance

Simple basic car maintenance such as checking the tire pressure and making sure that all the bulbs work correctly should be a “no brainer”. The young new car driver needs to get in the habit of checking and changing oil regularly. Knowing how to change a tire or headlight bulb is mandatory.

The Reckless Youth

I remember the days when I thought I was invincible, too. The years when you start gain responsibilities but neglect the rules.  The reckless youth ignores important road rules such as speeding, driving without a valid license, insurance, texting, talking on the phone, horsing around with the passengers, taking unnecessary risks…we’ve all been there.

If you drive a car you must always remember this: You are on your own.

It is important to remember that there are new car drivers and those that just have licenses. Having the freedom to drive is a terrific thing and a major part of growing up. It should be embraced and encouraged as long as it is NOT done at 120mph.

Ok, that’s the end of my rant. I remember how exciting it was when I got my first new car, so enjoy it. I welcome all our young people to share the roads, but do so in such a way that you aren’t a danger to you or the drivers around you.

The Easy Way to Change the Transmission Fluid in your New car

Maintenance and Service, New Cars, Tips and HInts, Used Cars

Do you know how to change your transmission fluid?

This is a good test.

Do you know what transmission fluid even is? Kidding, I know you know. You are obviously car savvy and of above average intelligence, or you wouldn’t be visiting ITDSWO (I’m trying to make it a new car catch phrase).

Here’s a great step by step video on how to check and change your new car’s transmission fluid.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REZcXMpnADc

If you think you’d like a little more assistance, we’d be happy to help you out.

Change the Oil In your New Car Yourself

Maintenance and Service, New Cars, Tips and HInts, Used Cars
It’s easier than you think.

Ya know, it’s always good to learn about the technical stuff when it comes to your new car. Now, I’m not talking about learning how to rebuild a carburetor while hanging upside down and blindfolded. I’m talking about knowing enough about your vehicle that when your mechanics as what kind of oil you’d like in your new car you don’t say “Olive.”

Watch and Learn:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nng2Ey3z8to

Now if you still think it’s too much to handle or you just don’t want to deal with the mess, swing by and I’ll give you a good deal on an oil change.

Aw Man! My New Car’s Windshield has a Ding in it!

Maintenance and Service, New Cars, Parts and Accessories, Tips and HInts, Used Cars
Don’t let it ruin your view!

Face it folks, it’s gonna happen. Your new car’s windshield is going to be smacked with something that will turn that pristine windshield into a blemished, annoying problem. Now before you blow a gasket, a ding…even a crack is something that can be fixed relatively easily. Two ways, you can run by your favorite auto parts store or you can call a professional

Even if your windshield cracks, it doesn’t mean that it is going to fall out as you drive. Windshields are really a high-strength mix of tempered safety glass and clear plastic. The plastic is sandwiched between two layers of glass. This means that your crack would need to break through three layers in order to have your windshield actually fall out—a very unlikely scenario…well, maybe not in Dallas.

Here’s a “Do it Yourself Video”:

If you need help with your windshield you can always give us a call…even better, leave me a comment!

Mastering Standard Transmission in Your New Car

Just for Fun, New Cars, Parts and Accessories, Tips and HInts, Used Cars

Whether you are a new driver or an old pro, jumping behind the wheel of a new car with a standard transmission can be intimidating if you’re a first timer. All it takes is a little practice and before you know it you’ll be wanting to spin laps at the local track.

The video explains it all…Remember, practice makes perfect!

Want a personal lesson for people who know their stuff? Just swing by and have a hand behind the wheel of a GMC!

Can anyone share any tricks? How about slowing down without even touching your brake?

New Car Financing: Most Have to Live with it, Few Without.

Credit and Financing, New Cars, Used Cars

Unless your are independently wealthy, a trust fund baby or unusually frugal, chances of you needing to finance your new car is probably a given. So, now that we know that you are going to have to rely on a lending institution to put that new GMC truck in your driveway, to out-do Jim down the street who just got one of course, you’ll want the whole financing process to be as easy as possible. 

There’s no doubt that financing can be one of the most stressful and difficult parts of any new car purchase. Here are some tips you can use to find the financing for your perfect set of wheels.

“What can I do to lower the price of my car?” That is a question that many people ask. What many people may not realize, initially, is that financing plays a huge role in the final cost of your new car. The amount of money that was financed, the length of the loan, and the interest rate all impact the final cost of your new car.

All of these things might overwhelm someone who is new to car buying, and it is certainly difficult for even those who have purchased several cars before. Using these tips though, can help anyone get the best possible deal next time they are in the market.

  • Make a Larger Down Payment. Large down payments can help immensely because the more money you put down at the time of signing means that the lender is going to be providing less. This results in lower financing costs. This also shows the lender that you are a fairly solvent or thrifty individual, and therefore a “safe” bet for a car loan
  • Identify Your Needs. The potential buyer needs to understand exactly what they need in a car as opposed to what they want. While it is always nice to be able to get what you want, you only really need to get what you need. The wants are extras that can (and will) drive up the price of the car and therefore increase the amount of money that you need to finance.
  • Know Your Price Range. Knowing your price range prior to new car shopping is going to help keep you from impulse buying something you later find you cannot afford. Impulse buying is one of the leading causes to higher financing costs.
  • Do Your Homework. Check April issues of such magazines as Consumer Reports and Car and Driver. These popular publications issue reports about the new cars coming out that year, examining various categories such as repair rates and issues, depreciation rates, and so on. This information is all needed to be able to make sure you get the best value for the money that you are going to spend. Such information also plays a factor in how much money the lenders are willing to give you at financing time.

 

If you have any questions about financing a new car or new truck, these guys can help.


How to Avoid the Bitter “New” Car Lemon

New Cars, Tips and HInts, Used Cars

Have you ever purchased a new (or new to you) car, drive it for a bit and begin to recognize that you may have just bought a !

Now, it isn’t your fault, right? I mean, how can anyone protect themselves from buying one of these defective vehicles? The answer is easy, you have to learn how to spot a lemon, which only sounds harder than it really is. In order to spot a lemon, there are a few things that anyone can do, all of which boil down to just doing some simple homework.

Thanks to cartips.net:

  • Check model history: One of the easiest ways to check to see if the car that you are going to be purchasing is a lemon, is to check into the model’s history. Informational sources such as the Kelly Blue Book, and Car and Driver model history is, you can get a fairly accurate description. If there is a large history of problems for a specific model, then chances are that you can expect to have similar problems with the car that you are researching. magazine, has statistical records as to the reliability of the model. Now, while it is true that you cannot base your decision simply off of what the the model history is, you can get a fairly accurate description. If there is a large history of problems for a specific model, then chances are that you can expect to have similar problems with the car that you are researching.
  • Get a CarFax history report: By simply getting a CarFax history report (which is going to cost you about $30.00) you can be pretty much guaranteed to have almost all of the vehicles history at your finger tips. At least among the major informational categories, such as if the car was stolen, ever been in a wreck and so on. In order to take advantage of such information, you are going to need the vehicle’s identification number (VIN) and a secure credit card (one that you do not mind using online). This is typically something that you are wanting to use if you are purchasing a used car, since most lemon laws do not cover used cars. If you take a look at the stickers on a used car (if you are purchasing from a dealer) then you are going to notice that chances are it has a little box marked that says “As Is.” If that box is marked, and you purchase the vehicle, then you are agreeing to the current condition of the vehicle.
  • Mechanic examination: If you are purchasing a used car, then you are entitled to have your potential purchase examined by a mechanic. If you don’t want to take a mechanic along, since it tends to cost money, then you just need to know what to look for. The easiest way is to keep an eye out for unexplainable wear and tear, mismatched paint job, and so on. While it may not be 100% accurate of test, it is something that can give you a fairly good idea of what to expect.

In short, what the buyer needs to keep in mind is that old phrase, “Let the buyer beware.” Or, you can always go to professionals who do these things for you!

The Potential Danger of Rubber Mats in your New Car

Maintenance and Service, New Cars, Parts and Accessories, Safe Driving
This is a potentially dangerous problem.

Can All-Weather Rubber car mats be a danger in your new car? The simple answer is, “Yes.”

Even the most conscientious drivers could find that they are in danger as a result of something that should be protecting their car. All weather car mats are great for keeping dirt off of the carpets and they can still be used, a simple measure can ensure that you remain safe while your carpets remain clean.

The infamous, “sticky gas pedal” might not be as infamous as we thought. In many, many cases, new cars which were reported to have sticky pedals had in fact simply been trapped underneath all weather rubber car mats. The advice is, that if you intend to use rubber new car mats you must first remove the new car’s factory carpet mats, as stacking them can obstruct the pedals. This advice is relevant to any car make and model.

Pedal entrapment may also occur if the new car’s mats are not correctly fitted. Universal new car mats are prone to slipping and sliding and gathering which is a serious hazard. It is always advisable to buy tailored car mats from a reputable car mat manufacturer who can precisely cut the mats into the right shape for your car model.

If you have any questions about the safety of your new car’s floor mats, swing by and we’ll take a look at them.

2016 Buick Cascada Convertible

Buick, New Cars
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jacksnell707/8865144900/in/photolist-evobHS-evoGtu-evoGpd-evobKh-evoGno-evobT7-jMZYys-odbEN9-iZ2RPq-pjExR3-p5dAkZ-nXJ3Bb-dYUS6x-dbTu8y-jMXFYi-nXJkQP-dVfjCY-rjmKKp-uZjchP-aXpiEg-aLDeLF-dV9KxH-a2sPjL-dV9KkF-k17PSe-nAPSbf-dVfjwo-aDCjTP-dYURUr-qzLWQx-qSeerr-dV9KfP-dV9Ksz-dV9KhB-qS59Ri-aXMkCe-k17JdD-k17S7e-qzEWb9-dVfjK1-e5Mmk2-r3Drw4-dZ1yAw-eUypqp-pjEymG-dYUS26-oHvAsL-aGZkda-gDBRRY-oXXTr7
Jack Snell, Flickr Creative Commons

2016 will see the introduction of the first new convertible in Buick’s storied line in twenty five years: the 2016 Buick Cascada. Needless to say the Cascada will incorporate 21st century engineering and styling to make it a stand out vehicle for all occasions. One of the innovations supplied with the Cascada is the spring-loaded, pyrotechnically-activated roll bars behind the front seats which are linked to the air bag system that are designed to protect the occupants in rollover situations.

According to Buick.com:

“The Cascada’s strategically reinforced body structure supports the roll bar system and is the foundation for the car’s strength and responsive driving experience. Elements include:

  • A-pillars featuring press-hardened steel in the inner structures and reinforced with high-strength, hot-rolled and cold-bent tubes within the pillars
  • Reinforced rocker panels with increased cross section
  • Underbody reinforcements including X-braces, V-braces and additional brackets
  • A reinforced “torsion box” bulkhead behind the rear seats that incorporates the pop-up roll bars

As a result of the structure’s rigidity, engineers were able to tune the suspension and steering systems with a high degree of precision, because they didn’t have to compensate for chassis flex.”

 

The roll bar system and the retractable roof are also designed in such a way that both the lines of the car are uninterrupted as well as trunk and storage space are largely unaffected. The individual rear seats also fold out of the way allowing up to 13.4 cubic feet of storage when the top is up, that space is reduced to 9.8 cubic feet when the top is stowed. Also, the top is stowed under a hard cover and can be lowered in 17 seconds at speeds up to 31 mph.

Other features include a 200hp engine, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Park Assist, and the rear view camera. The 2016 Buick Cascada convertible will be an exciting new vehicle for all driving scenarios!

 

2016 Enclave Comes With Streaming!

Buick, New Cars
https://www.flickr.com/photos/digital_3rd_eye/8629540339/in/photolist-exEgmF-eoXPVH-en1He7-e9yDGg-dAiHZa-dzKJzn-doeroT-dnbYUK-dn3Bn9-bxrAGh-bxryF3-ayH4Vo-adycWi-adB3eu-adB3b1-adB37m-adycCH-adB2Xh-ady7gp-nWRLfJ-f4DVJ8-ekB78n-adAWw3-adAUos-adxYiF-adANsS-adANju-adANfN-9Qvfd1-9PLbzm-9PHcXe-9PHbKk-9PKZdw-9PJfJs-9PFoKe-9PFnAT-9GnWzp-9GqQCs-9GqQwU-9GnWnP-9GqQjw-9GqQbN-9GnW3g-9GqPZC-9GnVRH-7WQxeV-7HNmn2-7HSh9o-4YaHwQ-4kTs7Q
James, Flcikr Creative Commons

Holy Family Vacation Batman! Buick has just announced that their 2016 model year Enclaves will feature OnStar’s 4G LTE Connectivity!  What this means is this will be a major upgrade in connectivity for families on the go. The 4G LTE comes with a Wi-Fi Hotspot that will support up to 7 devices simultaneously. Let’s face it folks, those days of license plate bingo, and the endless “Are we there yet?” questions are fading into a thing of the past. You see more and more cars on the road where everyone is on their device of choice, and now they’ll be able to connect on the road as well.

And now a little about 4G LTE. It is rated as the fastest and most up-to-date mobile network, and is advertised as being 10x faster than 3G and 100x faster than previous versions of OnStar service. As an added benefit, OnStar provides broader, wider-ranging coverage for smartphones than they can currently achieve through their cellular networks. Not only will you be able to stream on the go, but OnStar’s RemoteLink Mobile App will allow you to control several vehicle functions from your phone!  You’ll be able to send it directions and access information on the vehicle as well!

You’ll get 6 months of service as a standard, with an opt-in feature called FamilyLink which will allow you to receive vehicle position alerts, check location of the vehicle online, as well as stay connected with your loved ones while they’re on the road. If you choose the five year OnStar Basic plan, it comes with OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics which conducts monthly tests of all your vehicle’s systems and provides an alert if maintenance is needed. Also included is the RemoteLink Key Fob Service which will allow you to lock or unlock the doors, start the engine, honk the horn, turn on/off the lights from your phone anywhere you have a data connection! It’s a killer option.