Yup, the snow is still here and coming down, and we cannot wait till spring! But wait, spring brings rain…we can’t catch a break! This means there is no better time than NOW to get your vehicle ready for everything mother nature will continue to throw at it! The first thing you should check/replace is your wipers. We all know how important our wipers are but many of us overlook our wipers when it comes to maintenance. So this week we are helping figure out if it’s time for your wipers to call it quits or if they’re still in good enough shape to take on the spring showers! If you’re not sure how to tell if your wipers need to be replaced, then take a look at our tips below and if you need any help replacing them or purchasing wipers, stop into Carriage Traders or visit our site to schedule a service appointment!

It’s time to change your wipers if….

• Streaking occurs when the rubber squeegee dries, hardens, and cracks
• Skipping occurs when the blade develops a curvature from lack of use
• Wearing occurs with extensive use and is when the rubber edges are rounded instead of squared
• Splitting is caused when the sun’s rays penetrate the rubber squeegee, causing it to break down
• Bent frames are caused by inconsistent contact with the glass surface, creating streaking or skipping

If you’re running outside to go inspect your vehicle to see if it’s time to change your wipers be sure to look for the following!

• Broken frames
• Metal corrosion
• Visible cracks
• Rounded squeegee edges
• Loose or unsecured wiper blades
• Check that the squeegee is secure in the wiper frame

Visibility is extremely important to safe driving. Although drivers depend on their wiper blades to clear rain, sleet, snow, etc., many wait too long to replace them. Do yourself a favor and be sure to maintain wiper blades regularly which can maximize your visibility, efficiency, and reliability! If you want some tips on how to maintain the life of your wiper blades check them out below!

• When you get gas, be sure to clean your windows too
• Clean your squeegee often
• Never use your wipers to de-ice your window
• Pull your blades up during snow/ice storms

If you’re like most of us, then you probably don’t know much about your vehicle…other than the fact that it gets you from point A to point B. And that’s fine! But when you start to realize that your vehicle is acting different or you’re starting to hear noises coming from it that you didn’t hear before, then you need to start asking questions…literally. A lot of us do like asking questions about our vehicles, whether it’s because you’re scared it’s going to cost you money or maybe you just don’t want to sound dumb. But if you don’t ask questions or seek professional help, then you run the risk of your vehicle becoming more damage then it initially was.

Lucky for you we did the hard work for you this week. This week’s blog is all about the 10 most commonly asked questions that you might be afraid to ask your local mechanic. Well, this time you don’t have to! Check out all of the questions below and be sure to take a look at the answers if your vehicle is experiencing any of the issues below. If you feel you need professional help to get your ride back in tip-top shape, then schedule an appointment with us on our website!

#10 How Often Should I Check My Tire Pressure?

• Most new vehicles allow you to check your tire pressure right from the driver’s seat but if your vehicle doesn’t do this, a good rule of thumb is to check it at least once a month.

#9 When Should I Change My Transmission Fluid?

• Every 30,000 – 60,000 miles but be sure to check your owners manual for more information specific to your vehicle

#8 Why Do Signal Lights Blink Faster Sometimes?

• This simply means that the bulb has burned out
• When the bulb burns out, the voltage drops which makes it easier for the circuit to do its job
• Just like most things, the easier something is, the faster it gets done…Hence the fast blinking
• Just replace the bulb and it will blinker normal

#7 What’s the Difference between Over and Understeer?

• Oversteer is when you can turn your car more than you intended
• Understeer is when your car turns less than what you intended

#6 When Should I Replace My Timing Belt?

• It is recommended to change your timing belt every 60,000 to 100,000 miles, but be sure to check your owners manual for information for your specific vehicle!

#5 Can I Switch to Synthetic Oil or a Different Grade?

• This is when your owners manual comes in handy
• Check the manual to see which oil grade you use, we suggest sticking with that type and not switching to another grade
• When it comes to switching to synthetic oil, it’s usually problem-free, but when it comes to older vehicles this could be a bad idea!
• If your vehicle is a synthetic oil vehicle NEVER go to conventional oil…this could damage your engine big time!

#4 What Do the Sounds My Brakes Make Mean?

• Your brakes are made of pads and rotating components that are always moving
• Like anything,  over time these components begin to wear down and vibrate, and you can hear when this happens
• If the noise is high pitched squeaking, that means your brake pads need to be replaced
• When you hear a grinding noise, this is a more serious issue… This means your brake pads have been so worn down that it is now metal on metal and you could damage your rotors

#3 How Can I Save Money on Gas?

• Smartphone apps that help you find the cheapest gas stations in your area
• Loyalty programs at grocery stores sometimes help gain points toward gas
• Filling up earlier or later in the day can sometimes mean cheaper gas
• Avoid gas stations along the highway, they tend to have inflated prices

#2 What is the Difference between a Two-Stroke and a Four-Stroke Engine?

• A stroke is the maximum amount of movement a piston can make in one direction
• A two-stroke engine can complete two strokes in a single fuel injection
• A two-stroke engine is louder, less efficient, can cost less, produces high power for a short period of time, and requires oil in the fuel
• A four-stroke engine can complete a four strokes in a single fuel injection.
• A Four-stroke engine is quiet, more efficient, more expensive, produces lower power for a long period of time, and doesn’t require oil in the fuel

#1 Why Does My Car Hydroplane?

• This happens when tires come in contact with more water than it can dispell
• Water is pushed under the front tires creating a barrier between the road and the wheel
• The leads to no traction, resulting in sliding or hydroplaning on water…similar to sliding on ice

Here at Carriage Traders, we have one goal, and that is to make your experience as seamless and simple as possible. So when you choose to service your vehicle with us, we work hard to get your vehicle in, fixed by highly qualified service specialists, and back on the road in little time. We also know that service can sometimes cost more than we were hoping to spend so we have an impressive line-up of Service and parts specials to help save a little extra cash for the thing you really want to spend your money on.

So if you haven’t serviced your vehicle in a while or you know you’re vehicle is in need of some TLC, stop into Carriage traders and our trained service team will work hard to get your vehicle back in tip-top shape! Check out all of our offer below and then head over to our service specials page to print out the service coupon that works best for your needs!

Service Specials:

Wheel Alignment  – Get for only $78.88*

Conventional Oil Change – Get for only $19.95*

Full Synthetic Oil Change – Get for only $44.95*

State Inspection  – Get for only $5.00*

Transmission Fluid Flush – Get for only $189.95*

Brake Fluid Flush – Get for only $89.95*

A/C Recharge  – Get for only $89.95*

Make Your Own Discount:

• Spend $50 to $100 … Save $5.00*
• Spend $101 to $200 … Save $15.00*
• Spend $201 to $400 … Save $30.00*
• Spend $401 to $600 … Save $50.00*
• Spend $601 to $800 … Save $75.00*
• Spend $801 to Up … Save $100.00*

*All offers expire 2/28/2019. For more information check out our specials page!

Here at Carriage Traders, we work hard to make sure all of our customers walk out of the door as happy as they came in. We work hard every step of the way to make sure that you are car-buying experience is simple, hassle-free, and enjoyable. So when we heard that we were being honored with the 2019 Consumer Satisfaction Award presented by DealerRater, we couldn’t have been more excited!

As a store we have been part of the same community for over 30 years, not many dealerships can say that. So when we say that we have a sense of family when it comes to our customers we aren’t lying. We work hard to provide our customers with the best experience. Whether it’s helping to find the perfect new-to-you vehicle or providing certified service for your vehicle, our friendly staff is there to answer questions or assist you in any way we can.

So if you’re in the market for a new-to-you vehicle and you’re looking for a dealership what won’t hassle you, won’t pressure you, and is always ready and willing to assist you, then you should stop by Carriage Traders. Come on in and experience customer service worthy of the 2019 Consumer Satisfaction Award!

Do you live a fast-paced life? Yeah, so do most people and that’s why many of us have trouble finding time to keep our rooms clean let alone our vehicles. But if we’re being truthful a lot of us spend more time in our vehicles then we do at home…so why do we spend more time cleaning our rooms than cleaning our cars?

On top of that, having a messy vehicle is actually dangerous. When we use our vehicle as our own personal closet on wheels, we tend to have a lot of thing rolling around freely. If one of these loose objects lodge themselves under your pedals you might find yourself in a sticky situation… literally! Plus, with a filthy vehicle, you can find yourself being distracted trying to reach something, move something, or finding something, and we all know what happens when we become distracted while driving…accidents happen!

Save yourself a headache and clean out your vehicle. It’s a new year, right? So turn over a new leaf and clean out your vehicle. Don’t know where to start? Check out our list below and get some DIY life hacks on how you can organize your car and where to put all of your stuff… a little clue, toss it out, you probably don’t need it!

Step 1: Sort and clean

• Take everything out of the car, including car seats, music, and miscellaneous items stored in the glovebox and door pockets.
• Don’t forget the trunk and cargo area!
• Organize the rest of the items into three piles: stuff you use all the time, things you use occasionally and items you might need in an emergency. Whatever doesn’t fall into these categories should be stored in your home or garage.

Step 2: Analyze

• Ask yourself, “How do I use my car?”
• Are you the taxi driver? Maybe you’re a parent with two toddlers in car seats or salesman who travels with a trunk load of samples. Whatever it is, figure it out.

Step 3: Prioritize

• Depending upon your needs, go through your three piles and prioritize the most important items in each group
• And just like seasonal clothes in a closet, many items such as ice scrapers and emergency kits should be stored back into your vehicle

Step 4: Contain your needs

• Loose objects in the car lead to disorganization and mess. In the event of a sudden stop or a crash, they can also damage your car or, worse, injure your occupants. Get yourself a good organizer to keep all of your items concise and easy to access.

Stop the long search and the back and forth with the other dealership, instead, stop into Carriage Traders this month and SAVE BIG on a new-to-you vehicle for a price you cannot beat! This month we have a great lineup of vehicles that we are confident you’ll enjoy! If you are looking for a car, truck, or SUV, Carriage Traders has what you’re looking for, for less, so stop in and let our staff help match you with the perfect vehicle for your lifestyle and needs.

Don’t too long! We aren’t lying when we say these deals are impressive and unlike a new vehicle lot, we only have one of the vehicles you like. So check out our inventory and head into Carriage Traders today before your dream vehicle ends up in someone else’s driveway!

January Featured Used-Vehicles:

2014 Kia Optima EX – Buy for only $11,500*

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L – Buy for only $13,500*

2014 Chevrolet Equinox LS – Buy for only $15,600*

2017 Hyundai Accent SE – Buy for only $15,900*

2015 RAM 1500 Express – Buy for only $23,900*

2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT – Buy for only $28,500*

*All offers expire 1/31/2019. For more information check out our website!

You’ve done all the research, you’ve found the perfect vehicle, the right color, Make, model, and you even did the test drive and now after a very long process, you have to go through a long process of paperwork. We get it, buying a car can be longer than you’ve hoped but did you know you can actually make the process go faster? Yup, it’s true! When you first come to the dealership come with everything you need, that way if you find the vehicle for you, you don’t have to come back later with all of your documents. Not sure what you need? No problem, because below we’ve listed out all of the paperwork and documents you’ll need with you to have a fast and easy car buying experience!

Want to skip the line? The checkout CT Express, which is our new and completely transparent way to buy a car. From the comfort of your home, you can browse our inventory, schedule a test driver, get pre-approved, and finance your vehicle! It’s that easy all you’ll have to do is come in take it for a spin and sign the papers, but don’t forget the documents below! So come on into Carriage Traders and let us help make your car buying experience easier than ever before!

What you’ll need:

Your driver’s license: Your I.D. is proof that you are a legally registered driver, this is important since you have to drive off the lot. Your driver’s license is a way to identify that the check or another form of payment is actually yours, too.

Your payment form: Whether it is a bank, credit union, or personal check, pre-approved loan, or any other payment form – be sure to bring it. If you are planning to put money towards a down payment you will need some way to pay for it.  

Proof of insurance: In order to drive your new vehicle off the lot, you will need proof of insurance. It’s a good idea to call your insurance company ahead of time and add the new vehicle to your existing policy. You’ll need the car’s VIN number to set this up. You can also call from the dealership and have them fax or email the insurance card to the dealership.

Title/ Registration for your trade-in: If you are trading in a vehicle, be sure to bring the title. If you have a co-signer or a lien against the car, get the appropriate signature ahead of time. This part can be tricky and sometimes causes a hold-up. Give the dealership a call if you are unsure how to go about this. Also, you will need a copy of your current registration.

Loan account number: If you are trading in a vehicle and still owe on your loan, bring the loan account number. This number is on one of your payment stubs. You can also call the lender beforehand and ask how to facilitate the transaction.

Looking for a new-to-you vehicle? Don’t want to break the break especially after the holiday season? Then you need to be a Carriage Traders NOW through December 31st! When you shop our Year End 2018 Flash Sales Event, you can save big on cars, truck, or SUVs and better yet, you can drive into the new year in style and ensuring you have a great year ahead of you! Already have your beloved ride and you’re not in the market for a new one? No problem! We still want you to get in on the fun and during the winter season your ride needs all the TLC it can get, that’s why we are also giving away service offers you just can’t beat! So don’t wait any longer, snag yours now!

So, how do you become part of this amazing event? Simple really, all you have to do is head over to the Carriage Traders website, claim your voucher, and then come on in and save big! I know, sound unreal but trust us, it is very real and you’re not going to want to miss out!

Don’t wait too long to claim your voucher, there are only a limited number of vouchers and we promise these are deals you don’t want to miss! So say goodbye 2018 and hello to 2019 behind the wheel of your dream vehicle and stop into Carriage Traders today!