Vinart Blog » pa dealers

Keeping Your Used Cars from Overheating

jcme — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:05:00 +0000

If you have ever had one of your used cars overheat, you know how much of a damper it can put on your day. And if you did not know what to do in that instance, you could have caused severe damage to your engine which can ruin your day even further. Whether this has happened to you or not, it’s important to know what to do in case your car starts to overheat so you can minimize the damage.

Shut the Car Off Immediately
As soon as you see the engine temperature gauge start to go over the halfway point or if you see steam coming from underneath your hood, find a place to pull over safely and turn the vehicle off. If you continue to drive it, you risk doing damage to your engine.

Lift the Hood
To help prevent damage to your engine, open the hood as soon as you can. This will release heat trapped under the hood and help your engine cool off faster. Take precautions, though. There will likely be a large amount of steam and heat waiting to escape and the hood will probably be really hot. Shield your face with your shirt or something and use gloves to keep your hands from getting burned.

These are the first two steps to helping prevent damage to the engine in your used cars when it begins to overheat. Come back on Thursday to learn what else you should do in this case.

Choosing a Car Seat for Your Used Cars

jcme — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:05:20 +0000

If you’re driving your little kids around in your used cars, you want to make sure you have the proper car seat to help keep them safe and comfortable. Choosing the right car seat isn’t difficult, but it does take some time. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect car seat for your used cars and for your little kids.

• Shop around. Choosing the right car seat isn’t something you can do in one trip to Wal-Mart. Check a variety of them before choosing one.
• Practice putting the child seat in the car and taking it out if you have the opportunity.
• Make sure the seat is easy for you to carry and to install into the car because you will be doing this a lot.

Choosing the right car seat for your used cars is not a simple task. There are about 50 child seat manufacturers and more than 200 different models. Different seats fit into different cars…well, differently. That’s why it’s tough to make a decision without seeing how certain child safety seats fit into your used cars. Take some time in making your decision. Your child’s life may depend on it.

Tips for Enjoying a Staycation with Your Used Cars

jcme — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:05:38 +0000

If you are like most Americans in these uncertain economic times, you have chosen to forget about taking a vacation this summer so you can save your money. But there’s no reason that you cannot take you used cars and go on a “staycation” to enjoy the summer. A staycation is like a vacation but it is shorter and much closer to home. Here are some ideas you can use to take a staycation in your area in your used cars to make this a memorable summer.

Camping
If you have camping equipment already, you can pretty much go on a weekend camping trip for free. With the number of state parks and campgrounds across the country, chances are you won’t have to travel far from home to find one.

Festivals and Fairs
Most towns have festivals and fairs at some time during the summer. If your gown does not have one, a nearby one probably does. Look in the local newspaper or online to find something like that where you live.

Family Fun
Look for something the whole family can enjoy any night. Bowling alleys, putt-putt courses, laser tag places and similar places can provide an evening of fun for everybody!

So you see, you don’t have to travel across the country in your used cars to have a good summer. Just find something in your area and save your money for the best summer ever!

Nine Steps for Detailing Your Used Cars Yourself, Part 1

jcme — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:05:35 +0000

Since we are in the midst of the summer weather, this is probably the best time to clean out your car if you have not done so already. But how do you make the inside of your used cars look as good as possible? Some experts from an auto detailing place offer the nine steps you can follow to detail the inside of your used cars yourself and save the money of paying someone else to do it.

• Take all the junk out. Before you even begin to detail your car, take a trash bag and clear out the trash. Use another bag for stuff that does not get thrown away, such as sunglasses, CDs and such. Make sure to check the glove compartment, console, under the seats and in any pockets in your used cars, too.
• Take out the floor mats. While you have the floor mats out of your car, wash them. Do this at the beginning so they have time to dry while you are doing everything else. Use a degreasing spray and scrub the mats with a stiff brush to get the stickiness and dirt off.

Come back on Wednesday for the next set of tips for detailing your used cars.

Songs for Driving Your Used Cars Across the Country

jcme — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:05:52 +0000

If you are taking your used cars on a cross-country trip this summer, one thing that will keep you going is a playlist of great road trip songs. Road trip songs will help you stay energized and excited about your destination and they are also fun to listen to. Here is a list of my favorite road trip songs that I listen to when driving my used cars.

1. Summer of ’69 by Bryan Adams – There probably isn’t a person alive who cannot sing along with this classic. It’s fun, peppy and tells a great story.
2. Life is a Highway by Tom Cochran – The backbone of any great road trip song is its references to the open road. This song has that and much, much more.
3. Small Town by John Cougar Mellencamp – Any song by JCM would be a great road trip song, but this one is just fun.
4. Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty – You just can’t get much better than this classic song.
5. Hannah Jane by Hootie and the Blowfish – I’m a sucker for anything by HBF, but this is the first song off of their first commercially successful CD so it has a special place in my heart every time I hit the open road.

Are any of these songs your favorite road trip songs? What are some road trip songs that you enjoy when you hit the highway?

Coping with Teen Drivers in Your Used Cars

jcme — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:05:28 +0000

Is your teen going to get their license or permit this summer? If so, are you going to let them drive your used cars or are you going to get them one of their own? Either way, it can be stressful to have a teen driver in your household. Here are some ways to cope with teen drivers so you do not go insane.

• Be a good example
Many teens are going to imitate what they see you doing when you are behind the wheel. If you are a careless driver, chances are that they will be the same way. Make sure you lead by example and follow the rules in hopes that they will, too.
• Create a driving contract
Make a written document between you and your teen driver that spells out everything that is expected of them when they drive. Also, make sure the consequences are spelled out in the contract so your teen driver knows what to expect if they break the rules.
• Set realistic curfews
The curfew you set should be between you and your teen driver. If they are a responsible teen with a job and good grades, you may be more lenient on the curfew. However, if they are always getting in trouble, you may consider an earlier curfew if they have the car.

Use these suggestions to help you and your teen get along during this trying time for both of you. They will help you both stay sane and civil with each other.

Driving around with Pets? Consider Insurance for Them!

jcme — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:05:09 +0000

Have you ever been driving around with your pets in your used cars and worried about getting into an accident? What would happen to your pets? Would they be covered? How would you pay for the vet bills?

Your worries are over. Some auto insurance companies are offering pet owners the option of adding their pet to their policy.

Cheryl Steckler, owner of the Pet Limousine Service, is driving pets around every day. She takes them to important appointments and gets them out for exercise. She knows that people adore their pets and they want to make sure they have some type of coverage in case of an accident. For years, she could not obtain coverage for the “clients” that she drives around.

However, she now has several auto insurance companies offering her policies that include the pets at no extra charge. The policies typically cover up to $1,000 of vet bills.

Loretta Bond, an agent with Farmers Insurance, said many drivers are inquiring about their pet policy. Progressive is another company that offers insurance policies that include pets. “It’s no different than a human being, they have bones that break, they need surgery and things like that,” said Bond.

Would you be one of the people that would add your pet onto your insurance policy with your used cars? Or is that going too far? Let us know your thoughts below!

How to Avoid Speeding Fines in Your Used Cars

jcme — Fri, 29 May 2009 10:05:40 +0000

Have you ever been pulled over for speeding without even knowing that you were exceeding the speed limit in your used cars? If so, you are not alone. Here are some of the most common reasons drivers unknowingly receive speeding tickets and how to avoid them.

• The speed limit changes suddenly. There is really only one way to avoid this and that is to be a more observant driver. Keep an eye out for road signs and the speeds of other drivers to ensure you do not get caught speeding due to a changed speed limit.
• Aggressive driving leads to speeding. Some people take their aggressions out behind the wheel. But your used cars are 4,000-pound killing machines if you do not treat them with respect. Be responsible and drive carefully to avoid getting a speeding ticket.
• People running late are candidates for speeding tickets. Trying to rush because you are going to be late for somewhere is not smart at all. Being a few minutes later is much better than paying a huge fine and getting points on your license. Instead, call ahead and let someone know you will be late and you won’t feel like you are in such a hurry.

Basically, just use some common sense to avoid getting speeding tickets in your used cars. A little common sense can go a long way when you are driving on the road.