Category Archives: Helpful Tips

Pet Safety In Your Car, Truck, & SUV!

“Never leave your pet in a parked car when the outside temperature is above 70 degrees. Not even with the windows partway down, not even in the shade, not even for a quick errand. Dogs and cats can’t sweat like humans, so they pant to lower their body temperature. If they’re inside a car, recycling very hot air, panting gives no relief, and heat stroke can happen quickly.”

– Michael Dix DVM, Medical Director, Best Friends Animal Society

“Heat stroke can permanently damage a pet’s health very rapidly.  The change of only a few degrees to a dog’s normal body temperature can quickly result in coma, organ dysfunction, permanent brain damage or even death.”

– Jules Benson, DVM, Medical Director, Pet Plan Pet Insurance

“When temperatures outside range from 80 degrees to 100 degrees, the temperature inside a car parked in direct sunlight can quickly climb to between 130 to 172.”

– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

We all love our furry family members!!

With Summer coming, we thought it would be a great time to put out a reminder of the danger you can put your pet in if you choose to take them in a vehicle with you and leave them while you run into a store.

The temperature inside your vehicle can rise almost 20º F in just 10 minutes. In 20 minutes, it can rise almost 30º F… and the longer you wait, the higher it goes. At 60 minutes, the temperature in your vehicle can be more than 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature. Even on a 70-degree day, that’s 110 degrees inside your vehicle!

Your vehicle can quickly reach a temperature that puts your pet at risk of serious illness and even death, even on a day that doesn’t seem hot to you. And cracking the windows makes no difference – cracking the windows has very little effect on the temperature rise inside the vehicle. This is definitely a situation where “love ’em and leave ’em” is a good thing! Please leave your pets at home at home when you can…they’ll be safe and happily waiting for you to come home.

This Summer before you put your pet in the vehicle, ask yourself if you really need to take your pet with you – and if the answer is no, leave your pet safely at home.

At Car Direct, our goal is to help you in finding the right vehicle for you.  Check out our inventory page to see what we currently have in stock.  Don’t see what you’re looking for?  Give us a call – that vehicle may be on its way in.  If not, we’ll find it for you!

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CALL US TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR TEST DRIVE… OR JUST COME ON BY!
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2015 Chevrolet Colorado

At CarDirect USA we pride ourselves in knowing all there is to know about each vehicle we have on the lot! When you shop at CarDirect USA, you’ll have a knowledgeable Customer Advocate educate you on your new vehicle so that when you drive away, you know how to use all of the gadgets!! Check out Deryan sharing the details of this 2015 Chevrolet Colorado!

SAFETY RECALLS

CarDirect USA is committed to your safety regardless of the vehicle you drive.

An auto recall occurs when a manufacturer (or the NHTSA) determines that a car model (or several models) has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal safety standard. When this happens, the automaker will alert owners to the problem and usually offer a free repair.  Many owners, however, may not know that their vehicle has a recall and is in need a repair.

You can find up to date safety recall information online for your vehicle.  AND… The good news is that safety recalls fix problems recognized by the manufacturer with no cost to the consumer.

The bad news is that the majority of consumers ignore recalls, or don’t know about them all together.  A 2012 study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that 25% of problems covered by recall notices still remain unrepaired. We want you to be safe on the road.  Checking for safety recalls on your vehicle is as easy as 1-2-3…

Step 1:     Locate your VIN and use the link provided below to check your vehicle for recalls through the NHTSA.
Step 2:     If you have an open recall, schedule a service appointment with the local dealership for your vehicle make to have the work performed.
Step 3:     Go in to have your recall work done FREE of charge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer reports recommends that if you notice that something seems wrong with your vehicle, say something. Get involved. If your car develops a problem that you think could put you or someone else in danger, such as a fuel leak or a serious steering or braking defect that’s not related to wear and tear, report it to the automaker’s customer-service department and NHTSA’s safety hotline (www.safercar.gov). Automakers and the government depend on consumer complaints to find out about safety concerns and do something about them. If no one reports a problem, it’s as if it never existed.

AUTUMN-MOBILE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE TIPS!

Friday, September 22nd, marks the official end of Summer and the Beginning of Autumn, but American’s don’t seem ready to stop traveling and taking vacations.  Its important to take a moment, in between the hot heat of summer and the freezing of winter, to take some extra care with your vehicle.  The Autumn chill is ahead, and there are a few items we recommend checking on for vehicle maintenance this time of year.

1-Change Your Air Filter

Dust and pollen accumulates in your air filter all summer long and a dirty filter decreases airflow, horsepower and engine performance. Autumn is the perfect time to give your car a breath of fresh air. Replacing an air filter on most cars is very easy; it takes about 30 minutes and generally requires no tools. It is one of the quickest, inexpensive do-it-yourself maintenance owners can do on their car.

2-Check The Battery

Extreme cold weather can zap car batteries of the power needed to start and run a car. Batteries older than 3 or 4 years are more susceptible to fail, especially if they are having trouble starting a car during warm weather. Have your battery checked by your local mechanic to make sure it is in good working order. Replace it if necessary. Also, don`t forget to carry jumper cables in your car in case your battery fails.

3-Check The Tires

Tires need autumn attention. Check your tires to make sure that they are properly inflated and have enough tread to provide sufficient wet traction. If you live in a climate that gets snow or ice in winter, make sure the tires are rated “all-season,” at a minimum. In very snowy areas, be sure to exchange summer or all-season tires this fall with snow tires before the first snowfall. Some states won`t allow cars on the road when they are covered with snow unless snow tires and/or chains are installed on the vehicle, so don`t procrastinate. Check with your state`s highway department for further information.

4-Check Over Your Engine

The oil, antifreeze, belts and hoses should be checked during your autumn car check-up. Oil should be changed regularly to keep an engine running at its maximum efficiency. Antifreeze should last between 2 to 5 years, depending on the type. If it`s been awhile since you`ve had it changed, take it to the mechanic to have it checked. At the same time, have your mechanic check hoses for leaks and belts for signs of stress.

5-Check Your Wiper Blades and Washer Fluid

Wiper blades tend to only last one to two years, so if they haven`t been replaced recently, be sure to replace them before the autumn rains arrive. While you are at the auto store buying new wiper blades, pick up several gallons of washer fluid. You will likely go through it as autumn`s road grime turns to winter salt spray.

At Car Direct, our goal is to help you in finding the right vehicle for you.  Check out our inventory page to see what we currently have in stock.  Don’t see what you’re looking for?  Give us a call – that vehicle may be on its way in.  If not, we’ll find it for you!

BUMPER STICKERS ARE EVERYWHERE!

Politics… Colleges/Univerisites/Alma Maters… Family… Military… Musical Interests… Humor… Pop Culture… Sports/Fitness/Leisure… Pets… Brands… Controversial Issues/Positions…

Whatever your position is, people are using their vehicles to express themselves.  And others are leaving their vehicles to remain a blank canvas.  Those who love bumper stickers use their vehicle as a roving billboards to declare their love of god, country, schools, kids, dogs, or occasionally clever aphorisms.

It’s surprising to find that geographically, there are trends as to what people will put on their vehicle, whether men or women are more likely to put a bumper sticker on their vehicle, and the perceptions of other drivers in relation to those bumper stickers. A recent survey of more than 2,000 drivers nationwide provides us with some interesting data. The survey found that women were far more likely to have bumper stickers than men, with 63 percent saying they’d slapped one on their car. Men, meanwhile, were evenly split on the matter, with 50 giving in to the urge and 50 showing restraint.   In regional terms, folks from the South–particularly Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee–were the biggest fans of bumper stickers: 68 percent admitted that they had one or more on their car.  The content of those bumper stickers varied, but the most popular fell into the broad category of sports, fitness, and leisure activities, followed closely by politics. Gun-themed stickers were the least popular, making up just four percent of the total.

Living in Hampton Roads, we are happy to report that bumper stickers showing support for the military were the most appreciated: a whopping 88 percent of study participants gave them a thumbs-up.  This region also has a population that is passionate about fitness and sports.  That being said, marathon-related stickers came in second, with 80 percent saying that they approved of long-distance runners.

So “whether you’ve placed a witty slogan on the back of your whip or you’re using the rear of your ride as a billboard for political campaigns, bumper stickers help car owners add a layer of expression to their vehicles. Bumper stickers allow drivers to share their humor, successes, and allegiances in the form of adhesive statements.”

At Car Direct, our goal is to help you in finding the right vehicle for you.  Check out our inventory page to see what we currently have in stock.  Don’t see what you’re looking for?  Give us a call – that vehicle may be on its way in.  If not, we’ll find it for you!

 

To read the entire survey results :  https://www.cheapcarinsurance.net/bumper-sticker-perceptions/

CARS, TRUCKS, & PET SAFETY!

 

Warm weather is here!  As the summer arrives, the temperatures go up, and we are all out enjoying the weather!  Lets take a minute to think about whether or not we’re taking our furry four-legged friends with us everywhere we go.  While we love to keep our pets with us, we need to think about their safety.  It can be dangerous to leave an animal in an unattended car, even with the windows open.  For certain outings, you may want to leave your pet at home.

Every year, hundreds of pets die from heat exhaustion because they are left in parked vehicles.  The temperature inside your vehicle can rise almost 20º F in just 10 minutes. In 20 minutes, it can rise almost 30º F…and the longer you wait, the higher it goes. At 60 minutes, the temperature in your vehicle can be more than 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature. Even on a 70-degree day, that’s 110 degrees inside your vehicle!

Your vehicle can quickly reach a temperature that puts your pet at risk of serious illness and even death, even on a day that doesn’t seem hot to you. And cracking the windows makes no difference.

So next time your headed out, and thinking of taking your furry four-legged friend along, consider if they will have to be left in the car at any time.  If so, you may want to rethink your decision and leave them in the comfortable A/C at home.

At Car Direct, our goal is to help you in finding the right vehicle for you.  Check out our inventory page to see what we currently have in stock.  Don’t see what you’re looking for?  Give us a call – that vehicle may be on its way in.  If not, we’ll find it for you!

TAX SEASON IS AUTO SEASON!

It seems as though as soon as people find out how much money they are getting in their tax refund, the first thing they do is start thinking about how they are going to spend it… A wise choice might be to make a long-term investment for oneself… and buy a used car or truck.

It’s a simple fact, tax refunds and car loans are a good match*.  One of the main reasons is the chance for qualified buyers to use their tax refund for a down payment on a car. The average income tax refund in recent years has been around $3,000, and buyers may decide to use all or part of that check as money down.  The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau tell us that a down payment may help when purchasing a vehicle because lowering the amount of money that needs to be borrowed may also lower the monthly payment and the total cost of financing.

Here’s why we think this could be a great idea for you!

Affordability: Generally speaking, with a used vehicle you’ll get more bang for your buck than you would by purchasing a brand new one – you are paying a lower purchase price for the same car model used rather than new.  Someone else already took that big depreciation hit, so you are more likely to get a car and maintain value!

Lower Long-Term Costs: Typically, when you purchase a used vehicle, monthly interest rates on a car loan for a used car will be lower, resulting in a lower monthly payment. In addition, your insurance rate on a used car is likely to be lower than on a new car.

Reliability: Today’s cars, trucks, SUVs and vans last longer than they did 30 or 40 years ago.  In 2015 (2 years ago!), IHS Automotive reported that the average car driving on American roads had reached a record high of 11.5 years of age. The auto industry think tank also predicts that by 2020, the number of 12-year-old vehicles still in operation will rise by 15 percent.  Modern vehicles are built to last longer than ever, which means you can save thousands and expect a long service life from a used car.

So now you may be wondering how to use that tax refund towards your used car or truck purchase… well, here’s a quick step-by-step guide that will help you drive away in your new pre-owned vehicle.

1 – Get your check from Uncle Sam.

2 – Calculate what you can afford.

3 – Decide whether you would be more comfortable with applying your tax refund as the down payment or using it to cover monthly payments.

4 – Identify what you want and what you can afford within your budget.

5 – Visit your local dealership to look at and test drive vehicles.  Most can help you with financing as well.

6 – Sign on the dotted line and drive away in your car or truck!!!

At Car Direct, our goal is to help you in finding the right vehicle for you.  Check out our inventory page to see what we currently have in stock.  Don’t see what you’re looking for?  Give us a call – that vehicle may be on its way in.  If not, we’ll find it for you!

* These statements are informational suggestions only and should not be construed as legal, accounting, or professional advice, nor are they intended as a substitute for legal or professional guidance. Please consult a tax professional.