According to the IIHS, percent of those who bought a vehicle for their teenagers said they bought it used. With that reality in mind, the Institute regularly publishes a list of affordable used vehicles that meet important safety criteria for teen drivers. And we want to share them with you! Instead of listing out all of the vehicles we have linked the article here!

It is important to know that there are two tiers of recommended vehicles, best choices and good choices. Prices range from about $2,000 to nearly $20,000, so parents can buy the most safety for their money, whatever their budget.

The article also lines out some pretty helpful tips for purchasing a vehicle for a teen driver. If your little one isn’t so little anymore and will be hitting the road anytime soon, be sure to keep these in mind when you’re purchasing a vehicle for them.

Young drivers should stay away from high horsepower – The high horsepower can tempt them to speed which could lead to more frequent accidents

Bigger, heavier vehicles are safer – The bigger the vehicle the better protected the driver in the case of a crash

Electronic stability control (ESC) is a must – This feature helps a driver maintain control of the vehicle on curves and slippery roads. The list goes as far as saying this feature reduces risk on a level comparable to safety belts.

Vehicles should have the best safety ratings possible –  According to the article this can be defined as “At a minimum, that means good ratings in the IIHS moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests and four or five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).”

If you are still in the market for a used vehicle that can fit in your budget and check off all the boxes, we invite you to take a look at our impressive inventory. Whatever type of vehicle you’re looking for, we are confident we can help you find it! Schedule a test drive now or stop into Carriage Traders soon!

With the winter weather in full bloom, there is no better time than now to service your vehicle if you have not done so already! Yes, we know that most people hate servicing their vehicle, whether you hate rolling up your sleeves and doing it yourself or paying someone else to do it, it’s no fun either way. Unfortunately, maintenance is a very important thing we have to do with our vehicles. If we don’t then they don’t run smoothly and can actually cause more issues that will end up costing you way more than any routine service would. Plus, if your vehicle isn’t running smoothly it could become unsafe for you to drive and that is never good.

Here at Carriage Traders, we understand that it is that time of year and a lot of your funds are tied up in Christmas and holiday presents. That’s why we want to let you know if you need service performed on your vehicle, you can bring it into Carriage Traders and service it for less with our service specials! Check them out on our site and come on in and save big!

If you are planning on servicing your vehicle yourself, we’ve done the hard work for you…kinda… and we’ve created the ultimate car maintenance checklist to help you make sure you’ve checked of everything that needs to be serviced in your vehicle! It is pretty long so if you find you don’t have time to finish all the task feel free to schedule an appointment with us and we will finish the job for you!

Winter Car Checklist:

Short-Term Check-Ups

1. Check oil and coolant levels
2. Replace air filters
3. Make sure your vehicle’s tires are filled to the recommended pressure level
4. Check Tread depth and make sure it is thick enough to make it through the winter
5. Check all of your lights, this includes headlights, turn signals, brake, and parking lights
6. Oil and filter replacement
7. Rotate your tires
8. Waz vehicle to protect exterior paint from cracking in winter weather

Long-Term Check-Ups:

1. Transmission fluid level
2. Transfer case fluid
3. Inspect shocks and struts
4. Coolant fluid exchange
5. Check spark plug
6. Serpentine belt
7. Front and/or rear differential

Season Check-Ups:

1. Replace windshield wipers
2. Battery performance check
3. Change Tires
4. Check coolant levels

Are you heading to your family’s house this holiday season? Well, you’re not the only one! In fact, Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the busiest holidays for travel and not to mention the most dangerous months to travel in. Yes, as much as we might hate it, the snow isn’t going anywhere. If you’re thinking about taking the road trip instead of flying, we suggest that you maintenance your vehicle before you go! A lot of things can happen on the road, whether it’s hitting bad weather, maintenance issues, or even accidents. It is always a better idea to be safe than sorry, especially when it could be you or passengers life on the line. If you’re worried about spending an arm and a leg on fixing your vehicle, leave it to us! We have a long list of monthly service specials and we are confident that we can find one to help you save some money! If you don’t have time to maintenance your vehicle yourself, give us a call or schedule an appointment online, we’d be more than happy to help you out! Check out all our specials below, but be sure to hurry in because these deals are only good till the end of the month! Have a wonderful holiday season!

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 $50.00-$100.00 – Save $5.00*
• Spend $101.00-$200.00 – Save $15.00*
• Spend $201.00-$400.00 – Save $30.00*
• Spend $401.00-$600.00 – Save $50.00*
• Spend $601.00-$800.00 – Save $75.00*
• Spend $801.00- Up – Save $100.00*

*All offers expire 11/30/2018. For more deals please check out our specials page!

Used Vehicle Specials:

2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT –  Get For ONLY $12,700

2016 Audi A6 2.0T Premium Plus –  Get For ONLY $25,500

2016 RAM 1500 Outdoorsman –  Get For ONLY $27,500

2015 RAM 1500 Big Horn –  Get For ONLY $28,900

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude –  Get For ONLY $29,000

2015 Ford Super Duty F-350 SRW –  Get For ONLY $39,900

*All offers expire 11/30/2018. For more deals please check out our specials page!

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 $50.00-$100.00 – Save $5.00*
• Spend $101.00-$200.00 – Save $15.00*
• Spend $201.00-$400.00 – Save $30.00*
• Spend $401.00-$600.00 – Save $50.00*
• Spend $601.00-$800.00 – Save $75.00*
• Spend $801.00- Up – Save $100.00*

*All offers expire 11/30/2018. For more deals please check out our specials page!

Even if you don’t know a lot about cars I think we can all agree that brakes are a pretty important feature to our vehicle, right? So, we can all agree that it is in our best interest to keep them in tip-top shape. Yet, many people tend to ignore the signs that their brakes might need a little TLC or that it might be time for a new set. If your concerned that it might cost too much money to replace your brakes, you can actually change your brakes from the comfort of your home all on your own. However, if you are unsure how to change your brakes, you could do more harm by trying to do it yourself. If this is the case, check out our service page and schedule your service now! Be sure to check out our service specials page and see if there are coupons or deals to help save you some money! If you are unsure if your brakes should be checked, take a look at the list below. If your brakes are experiencing any of the issues below, we suggest you give us a call or change your brakes as soon as possible. Check out what you need to know below!

Signs you should get your brakes checked:

• Brake light on
• Squealing, squeaking, or grinding noise
• Wobbling, Vibration or Scraping When Braking
• Leaking Fluid
• Spongy or Soft Brake Pedal
• Car Pulling to One Side When Braking
• Burning Smell While Driving

Let’s face it, our pups are part of the family! It’s as if you carried them for 9 months and they are your child, and you would defend them and protect them from everything! Am I wrong? I didn’t think so! That’s why you have to ask yourself why would you leave them out of the fun when you go on vacation or long trips to see family?  You know, they don’t like feeling left out either! Well, guess what, there are plenty of tips and tricks that can help make it easier for you to bring your pup along for the ride!

If you’re worried about bringing your pet along because the longest they’ve been in the car is for the ride to the dog park and back, then don’t stress we have a bunch of hacks to help make the drive easier for both you and your little pupper!

First and foremost, don’t forget the essentials!

• Water bowl (bring water for the car ride)
• Your dog’s regular food – Don’t feed your pet right before the ride to avoid them from getting sick and frequent potty breaks
• Medications – If your pet takes any medications or if medicine was prescribed to them from a doctor for the ride
• Bring updated tags, a collar, and a leash – Most places will require the animal be on a leash and will probably ask for updated tags (Including vaccinations certificates, especially rabies)
• A kennel – Although we might like putting our animals in one, and they might love it themselves, you should have the dog in one for the car ride. This helps to keep you and your pet safe and help to keep you less distracted
• Don’t forget the doggie bed! They get tired too, after long days at the beach and having fun, make sure they get some much need rest on this vacation, too!
• DON’T FORGET THE TOYS!! They’re your pups best friend..besides you of course! Just don’t forget their… BALL!

It’s a good idea to take a few test drives before the big trip. Take them for a spin to let them get comfortable in the car, but make sure to bring the crates so they know they have to be in the. Don’t act sad when you put them in the crate, and don’t force them in, our pups are pretty smart and the will pick up on the negativity towards the crate.

Before you take the leap and bring your dog on vacation with you be sure to do some homework yourself. Map out your trip, look for designated stops for potty breaks, playtime, and fresh air breaks. You might not get to your destination as quickly by including these stops, but your pet will appreciate it. And so will you because you won’t be dealing with a hyper dog!

Whether you’re planning on taking a long trip or just commute to and from work, it is important to give your vehicle a little TLC. Simply performing an under the hood inspection could keep your vehicle running smoothly and reliably. Check your fluid levels is quick and easy, truly any driver can do it! Want to know what you should be looking for? Lucky for you, I did the hard work and I have all the answers you’ll need!

There are five fluids that you should be checking for and it is really important to make sure that they are always at the correct level, and if they do not make sure to top them off. Make sure when you check the levels that you start with the car parked on level ground and the engine cold.

Five fluids to check regularly:

Engine Oil:

• Remove and wipe clean the dipstick, then insert it for a clean read
• The dipstick should have a normal range indicated
• If the oil is low, add more following recommendations in your owner’s manual
• Be sure not to overflow

Coolant:

• Look for the clear overflow plastic container near the radiator
• If the liquid is below the minimum line, fill with a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze.

Power Steering:

• The small tank is located near the firewall, at the windshield’s base
• A level should be between the minimum and maximum levels.

Brake Fluid:

• Usually in a clear reservoir marked with minimum and maximum lines
• Fill if it’s low, but then have the system checked: there could be a leak or the brake pads may be wearing.

Windshield Washer Fluid:

• Should be in a clear reservoir with a picture of a windshield
• If you’re unsure check your owner’s manual  
• Keep it full. It’s important to keep your windshield clean, esp. when there is sun glare.

This August, a few of the top vehicles from the Romeo Auto Group were polished up and on display including the all-new Kia Stinger, the spacious Kia Sedona, and the ever-popular Kia Sorento. For Chevrolet Buick GMC folks were able to get the first view of the all-new 2019 GMC Sierra and the dependable 2019 Chevrolet Silverado as well as the Chevy Bolt that boasts up to 251 miles per charge! Ford had the all-new F-150 and the family-friendly SUV Explorer on display. What a great way for everyone to see the new line-ups!

The Romeo Auto Group’s mission is to play a role within the surrounding community. The group chose the HealthAlliance’s Oncology Support Program, where “no one has to face Cancer alone,” in hopes to raise awareness with our “Roll Over Cancer” selfie campaign at the Dutchess County Fair. For every selfie that was taken and uploaded to our websites, the Romeo Auto Group donated $1.00 to this organization. Participants varied and everyone from infants, kids, parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters to even our own employees at Romeo – got involved! You can check out some of the selfies on any of the Romeo websites, linked here: RomeoCars.com, RomeoFordofKingston.com or RomeoKia.com.  We look forward to making the “Roll Over Cancer” selfie campaign grow over the upcoming years, as well as look forward to helping better our community by giving back to those in need!