Tips For Keeping Your Car Cool in the Summer

Summer.   The byproduct of pent up pubescent energy, barbequed sausage links, and strangely warm swimming pools. It’s a time of childhood freedom, family road trips, and a generous amount of suntan lotion, all wrapped into a 3-month span.   Driving your vehicle during the summer months can put wear and tear on your car, the extreme heat causing internal frustration and outward sweat spells.  In today’s blog, we suggest ways to keep yourself and your vehicle cool during the summer months.

Our first option is an auto shade that sets in your front window.  It cools your vehicle, and protects your dash from cracking from sun damage.  Make sure your shade:

·      Fits your car fully

·      Dark and reflective shade

·      HEATSHIELD- made to conform to specific makes and models of vehicles.

Another way to drop your car’s temperature is to install a window film, or tints on your vehicle. Several companies’ make a nearly clear film that reflects U.V. and infrared rays.  By keeping your vehicle temperature down, it takes less time for your A/C to cool your car down.  Thus, saving you energy and promoting overall efficiency.  If you have any other options to contribute, please leave a comment below.  Have a great summer!

Tips on Buying a Car For Your College-Bound Teenager

With the new school in full swing your teenager or college-bound student may be asking you for a car. Selecting the right vehicle can become quite challenging, especially when their preferences can be quite different from yours. The automotive repair experts at Shade Tree Garage, in Morristown, New Jersey, have created a list of tips to keep in mind when purchasing a new vehicle for your teenage driver.

Dan O’Connor, Service Advisor at Shade Tree Garage says, “When purchasing a vehicle for your teenager, you’ll want to look at safety, affordability and reliability. If you evaluate each of these areas carefully, you will be confident you’re getting the best vehicle you can for the money you want to spend.” Here’s O’Connor’s list of tips.

1. Safety - According to AAA, automobile crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. “Because safety is of primary importance, it’s critical to choose a vehicle that has the latest safety features designed to prevent crashes and minimize injury,” states O’Connor. Any vehicle considered should include features like anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, electronic stability control, adjustable/locking head restraints, and airbags.

2. Affordability - Insurance costs, fuel and maintenance will all affect the affordability of a car. According to O’Connor, “A lot of times a car might look great and be in your price range, but the owner is selling it right at the time it will need a lot of maintenance work done, like new brakes, tires, or the major service. Quality automotive repair shops, like Shade Tree Garage, can perform a pre-purchase inspection to let you know if the vehicle is safe, reliable and priced right.”

3. Reliability - Of course you want to know the vehicle won’t break down the first time your teen takes it out on the road. It’s a good idea to order the vehicle’s CarFax report. You should also determine if there’s a warranty for the vehicle. Again, you may want to have an automotive repair expert perform a pre-purchase inspection. In doing so, you’ll know the vehicle you are thinking of purchasing is roadworthy, mechanically sound and equipped with operational safety components.

Change your thinking; change your life with just 8 thoughts!

Did you ever realize that when you’re going through a tough time, you can change the outcome if you simply change some of your thinking?  Living a happy and productive life can seem impossible or it can become possible just by changing your mindset.  Take a look at these nine statements and see the difference between thinking negative an turning it around to be positive.

1.     There’s nothing I can do about it vs. I have a choice!

2.     When would it be a good time to start? Vs. Let’s get going!

3.     I have a problem vs. I have an opportunity.

4.     I don’t have time for that vs. What can I do to help you?

5.     I’ve got a long way to go vs. Look how far I’ve come.

6.     I have to go to work vs. I get to go to work!

7.     I don’t have a thing vs. I’m so thankful for all that I have

8.     This is impossible I can’t do it vs. I have what it takes

The recipe to happiness is just a thought away if you just allow your mind to change the thought patterns that make us unhappy and even unhealthy. 

Motivation is the only element that you need to put this plan into motion. 

Good luck and remember nothing will make you feel better than driving a brand new car!  Okay, just kidding….

6 Things to tell your insurance agent that could lower your bill

Recently I moved from a major city in which public transportation was my most logical means to get around.  (Perhaps you can relate?) Since I was no longer privy to public transpo.  I decided to lease one of our fine vehicles. Now, I’ll admit, insurance was the one thing I hadn’t researched before my purchase.  So needless to say two months later I realized I was getting hosed.  Has this happened to you?  Well I quickly came up with a game plan that might help to save you some money.  Read on to learn more.

1.)  Since I hadn’t been in an auto accident in over 2 years I began my negotiation there.  The agent looked at my record and gave me a discount.  I’ve become aware that insurance agents are on a “Don’t ask, don’t tell” mentality.

2.)  I am definitely over 25, so I was under the impression that I shouldn’t be paying more than when I first started driving.  The agent told me that policies go up and down as we age.  I pressed a little and was able to persuade the agent that I should be rewarded for the fact that I have never had a car accident in the entire 31 years I’d been driving and that my maturity shouldn’t be a benefit.  Moral: A little sniveling and groveling can put a little extra money in your back pocket!

3.)  Since I was leasing the car; I was allotted 12K miles per year.  I was a perfect candidate for a lease since I only drove to work and back less than 10 miles each day.    I asked again if there were any special rates for someone driving with that mileage that low.  The agent took off another chunk of money.  Moral: Getting lower insurance rates could be fun!

4.)  He asked if I had airbags all over the car and an alarm system.  I replied well most cars are built with airbags aren’t’ they?  I’m sure that my sarcasm was far from welcome. However,  I did purchase LoJack, which eliminated that hit.  Pow! Take that Insurer!

5.)  Next I asked if I was being charged for my credit?  The insurance agent explained that I was being charged additional fees for not having insurance for the past 2 years.  When I explained to him that I didn’t own a car for two years I was told that didn’t matter.  (Apparently you should buy insurance for invisible cars or insure air?).  I pleaded my case and explained that I had good credit and felt that this was unacceptable treatment.  Cha Ch’ing! They lowered my rate once again.

6.)  Last but not least; a big pet peeve of mine is drinking and driving.  Since I have never and I mean NEVER, gotten busted for DUI I politely asked the rep if I could get rewarded for having never gotten one of these offenses.   After the harps stopped playing and I took off my halo, the agent came back with a new payment that was $185 cheaper per month!

 

Last moral: Ask and Ye shall receive.  I could have saved myself $688 had I done my research first.  While we don’t endorse insurance companies I am hoping that this might help save you some serious cash.  It never hurts to try!

For more automotive updates contact us at http://www.fxcaprara.com/