5 Car Buying Tips for Teens

It's the time all parents dread - your teen gets the license and is now begging for a car. Before you say "No", consider some of these tips to buying. And, remember, after they buy it, they'll need a good auto mechanic!

 

1.                  Start on the used lot! 

It’s often easier to finance a used car, and you’ll likely get much more car for the same money as used.  Some manufactures are offering warranties that last as long as 10 years and 100,000 miles and you can often find a used car that is still under warranty

2.                  Safety first!

SafeCar.gov has a handy tool that will show you the crash test ratings for cars going all the way back to 1990.  Check the list before you buy.  Also, consider a device that keeps an eye on your teen’s driving habits.  Phone apps exist such as the Android based “Speedbump,” and insurance companies like Allstate, Progressive, and State Farm offer lower rates when their monitoring devices are installed.

3.                  Credit issues

It can be tough getting your first car when you haven’t established credit, however many dealerships have in-house financing that can help establish credit, and work with people in unique situations.  If this still doesn’t work, consider a cosigner.

4.                  Share the cost

Sometimes having a little “skin in the game” helps young buyers appreciate the value of a dollar.  While getting in over their heads is not advisable, perhaps come up with an agreement for them to pay the fuel or insurance costs.  Also, some insurance companies will offer a discount if kids keep their grades at a certain level.

5.                  Be realistic!

Now is the best time to learn that you don’t need the flashiest car on the lot.  Pick one that will keep them safe, hold up on the road, and get good gas mileage.  You’ll help your teen build great financial habits now that will stay with them for many years to come.

5 Noises Your Car Makes That Means It Needs Help

“The engine makes a clicking noise when I hit 40.”

“I hear whistling.”

“My brakes squeak”

We hear these phrases a lot and you may have heard these noises many times in all the years you’ve driven. Here are 5 noises we think you should be concerned with when you hear them.

1.       The “Hiss” or “Whistle – When you hear this coming from the engine, it usually means a leak in a vacuum hose. If you are hearing a whistle from near your serpentine belt, that could be an issue with the alternator.

2.       A “Whine” – If you hear a whine that just won’t go away as you drive, it could be an issue with the driveline and the gears – more than likely this is a differential problem and could be costly. There’s also a chance you just need new differential fluid!

CV Joint

3.       A “Knocking” – When your car hits 40 and you hear a sound as if someone is knocking on the tires, you more than likely have a worn CV joint.  If you are traveling at low speeds and hear this, it’s possibly a failing wheel bearing. 

4.       A “Clicking” – when this comes from the engine, it’s possibly loose valves. It’s an easy fix for older cars with synthetic motor oil.

5.       A “Squeal” – Common from the brakes when you apply them, this means the metal in the brake pad is exposed and you need new brakes.

Another piece of advice – listen very closely to where the sound is coming from and have another person sit in the car, in the back seat, to listen as well. This can help you determine where it’s coming from and that helps us figure out how to fix your problem!

When It's Time for Change, You've Got To...

You bought the car with “lifetime” brake pads and you’re hearing a grinding noise coming from your wheels. First off, there’s no such thing as “lifetime” pads, but these are very expensive and tend to last longer than most people own the car. The “lifetime” guarantee doesn’t transfer ownership. If you hear this with “lifetime” pads, change them immediately.

But, what if you don’t have that guarantee and you hear the grind? We suggest changing them immediately. That grinding is the sound of the screws in the base of the pad hitting your rotors. You hear that noise and wait too long, a repair job that may have been $200 jumps to $600 or $800. Also, these are the brakes we are talking about. Don’t take these too lightly.

How about the rotors? If you heard the grind, the rotors are in trouble. You may be able to drive another 1,000 miles, but, you are playing with fire.

All cars are different. Rule of thumb for us, your car hits the 30,000 mile-mark, you should get the pads checked. It’s something we can do and will help you make sure you are safe and everyone riding in your car stays safe as well.

It's Routine for You, Why Not Your Car?

How dirty is your car right now? Not the inside, but the exterior. Are you a regular car washer or do you wait until you can barely see out the windows or the door is stuck with grime and slime?

If you are the later, you are actually hurting your car and taking years off of its life. The dirt, oil, debris, and salt used in winter for snow and ice can wreak havoc on your paint job. Keeping your car free of all that junk on a regular basis will keep it from eating away at the body panels. A monthly bath will keep your car’s exterior alive a little longer and save you cash on paint and body work! 

And, don’t forget the worst for your car’s exterior – bird droppings. You shouldn’t let it sit there until it rains. After 24 hours, acid starts to seep from it and damages your paint.  Wash the droppings off immediately.

Routine maintenance for your car and truck doesn’t only involve oil changes, tire rotations and valve replacement. Your car would love a monthly bath!

They Aren’t Just Pretty Lights!

There’s a reason car manufacturers put those pretty pictogram lights on the dashboard. Well, two reasons: one a diagram is easier to read and two, you will notice a bright picture and know something wrong.

The problem is this: who actually reads their Owner’s Manual? A light comes on and it looks like a deformed snake or an upside down beetle with a mustache and you think, “What the heck? My engine’s beetle is sad?” Or, there are so many different symbols, you have no idea what means what and the last car you drove had a symbol for engine that is different than this car…I could go on!

There are a few lights you need to be wary of right away when they light up – Oil Pressure, Check Engine, Brake System, ABS Fault and Air Bag Fault. We suggest contacting us right away when you see these lights turn on. If you don’t know what they are on your car, once you pull over, grab your Owner’s Manual and look.

While you might hit a pothole and the pesky warning light shuts off, it doesn’t mean the problem is fixed. That’s why we are here!