Category: Consumer Guidance
Car Shopping: What Women Want
Hey there, fellow car enthusiasts! Let’s switch gears and have a candid chat about a subject that’s caught my attention: how women choose their cars. And just a heads-up, they are absolutely nailing the car-shopping game with their well-considered decisions….
Mechanic Talk and Your Ride
Making a trip to the auto service center is just part of owning a car. Having a clear, detailed chat with your mechanic matters more than you might think. When your car’s up on the lift, that’s your chance to…
VIN: Deciphering Your Vehicle’s Unique Identity
Ever heard of the term VIN? It’s not some secret code, but rather a critical identifier for your car. VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number. Thus, when someone playfully drops the term “VIN number,” they’re unknowingly indulging in a touch…
Car Loan Guidance for Savvy Shoppers
If you’re gearing up to buy a car, and you’re like most folks, you’re probably also looking into financing it. So, before you rev up your engine and zoom off to the showroom, here’s a friendly guide packed with tips…
Behind on Car Payments? How to Avoid Repo.
You know those moments when life feels like an unexpected pop quiz? Just when you think you’re cruising along, an unexpected twist comes out of nowhere, especially with finances. If those monthly car payments have turned from manageable speed bumps…
Practical Tips About Vehicle Recalls
Annually, a vast number of vehicles are recalled for safety issues, from minor defects to serious concerns such as malfunctioning airbags. It’s vital for vehicle owners to stay updated about these recalls for their safety and the safety of others….
Pros and Cons of Servicing Your Car at a Dealership
When it comes to maintaining and servicing your car, one important decision you’ll need to make is whether to take it to a car dealership or an independent mechanic. While both options have their merits, servicing your vehicle at a…
What Happens to a Car Loan When the Borrower Dies?
When an individual secures a car loan, the expectation typically involves making regular payments until the loan is fully paid. However, it’s crucial to consider the financial implications should the borrower unexpectedly pass away. While this might be a challenging…
Tire Terminology 101
Tires are what separate your vehicle from the road. They’re critically important for helping supply a safe, comfortable ride and are one of the few components not warrantied by the car manufacturer. Are you familiar with the key language or…
What is a Rebuilt Title?
When a vehicle that was previously considered salvage is reconstructed, it is given a rebuilt title. Before being permitted on the road, most states mandate an examination by a licensed garage or body shop, as well as the state department…
Flood Cars and How to Avoid Them
When a hurricane impacts America, the damage is sometimes extensive. Lives are turned upside, property damage assessed, and a long rebuilding process begins. Flood cars are one part of the equation, vehicles are damaged beyond repair. Even so, tens of…
Explaining Salvage Title & Total Loss
Smash! You never saw it coming — a driver runs a red light, and slams into the side of your vehicle, leaving behind a trail of twisted metal, broken glass, and thousands of dollars in damage. Airbags saved the day…
How to Lease Your Next Vehicle
When shopping for a new vehicle, you have a choice of purchasing or leasing. With a purchase, you’ll typically make a down payment and follow with monthly loan payments until the vehicle is paid off. With leasing, you’ll have certain…
Closed on Sundays: Car Dealerships
Shop for a new or used car and your local car dealership may be closed. Notably, in 13 states dealerships may not conduct business on Sundays, while in another seven, their hours are restricted. In the remaining states, districts, and…
How to Prevent Car Theft
Despite technological advances, the motor vehicle theft rate in the United States continues to rise. According to the FBI, more than 810,000 vehicles were stolen in 2020, an increase of 11.8% over the previous year. A staggering $7.4 billion was…
How to Save Money With a Hybrid Electric Vehicle
Hybrid electric vehicles are passenger models that use two energy sources: gasoline or diesel fuel and electricity. The Toyota Prius is the best-selling hybrid model, but there are dozens of other hybrids sold by a variety of manufacturers. Because hybrids…
How to Cancel a Speeding Ticket
You are out for a drive, enjoying the scenery, and only semi-aware of the road signage. Suddenly, a bank of fast-approaching blue flashing lights visible in your rearview mirror has you startled. And then a sinking feeling overtakes you: you’re…
How to Refinance Your Auto Loan
Is it possible to refinance an auto loan? Unequivocally, that answer is “yes.” We may believe that only houses are refinanced, but that isn’t true. Indeed, just as you can save a bundle by refinancing your home, there are savings…
How to Register Your Used Car
Register your vehicle through the DMV to make it drivable. Purchase a used car and you may have saved yourself a heap of money over the cost of a new ride. Indeed, with the average cost of a new car…
How to Buy a Junkyard Treasure
You have a car and need multiple parts for it. Or perhaps you have set your eyes on a jalopy that no longer runs. Fixing it and bringing it back to its former glory is an option. Either way, you…