A Quick Guide on How to Change Your Car's Oil

Auto insurance can be a difficult thing to wrap your head around. When you're talking to an insurance agent, you may feel overwhelmed or even a little embarrassed to ask questions in fear of being viewed as unintelligent. Asking questions is the best way to learn about anything, and drilling an insurance agent with questions concerning coverage, deductibles, and premiums will help you better understand auto insurance. Here are a few answers to more commonly asked car insurance questions. What Is the Cost of Car Insurance? There are no simple answers here, other than exploring the factors that most affect the price of auto insurance. Your sex, marital status, and age have an impact on the total cost. For example, after much data collection and studies, age has been determined to have a significant impact on car insurance premiums. This is due to the younger population having more accidents and speeding tickets overall than older drivers. more When Is Car Insurance Purchased? Since most states require auto insurance, you need to purchase it before driving. Driving without car insurance is generally illegal, and if you're in an accident, you may be held liable for bodily injury and property damage. Why Does My Vehicle Affect the Cost of My Car Insurance? Your car plays a part in how much your auto insurance premiums are, due to the history of other drivers who drove the same make and model of your vehicle. Your car's safety features can indirectly affect the cost of your car insurance by helping you avoid accidents. Does Car Insurance Cover Normal Wear and Tear? Auto insurance has nothing to do with the normal wear and tear of your vehicle. It does cover repair costs due to an accident, but it won't replace your tires once they have worn out. You'll need to keep the maintenance of your vehicle in your budget as a means of keeping your car in proper working order, which in turn helps keep you and others safe. Do I Need Gap Insurance? Gap insurance is excellent coverage, but you may not need it. If you own your car with no outstanding loans, you do not need gap insurance. If you have purchased a new vehicle and owe payments to a bank or federal credit union, gap insurance protects your investment. For example, if you buy a $45,000 car and its value drops to $35,000 in one year, but you still owe $40,000 to the bank, gap insurance covers the $5,000 difference if the car is totaled in an accident. These are only a few of the most commonly asked questions about car insurance. Auto Insurance not only protects your investment, but it also helps protect you if you happen to be in an accident, regardless of fault. Don't be afraid to ask about the aspects of car insurance you don't fully understand to ensure that you fully comprehend your coverage, what you're paying for, and how it protects you, your loved ones, other drivers, and property. Image via pexels.com

Winter is approaching in Illinois which means temperatures dropping, snowfall, and the dread of having to de-ice your car windshield in the morning. Learn everything you need to know about de-icing your car windshield to ensure a less stress-free morning commute! Prevent an Icy Windshield Ahead Of Time Prepping ahead of time can go a long way in order to keep your windshield free of ice. Regularly check your local weather, and if precipitation is ever in the forecast during cold weather, use a tarp or sheet to cover the windshield overnight. However, when inches of snow is expected, these covers may be difficult and unwieldy. Commercial sprays that prevent ice from attaching to the glass are available on the market, but they can become costly. A combination of three parts white vinegar to one part water can do the trick to prevent ice from sticking. But this solution should be used carefully, as prolonged exposure of vinegar to painted surfaces can remove the wax. Spray the solution only on the windshield and windows, and wipe away any excess or overspray. more Removing Ice From Your Windshield To remove ice from a windshield on a cold, wintry morning, follow these steps: Start the engine Set the Heater to Defrost Adjust the airflow to recirculate Move the temperature to full heat If your car has an automatic climate control system, simply set it to defrost. If your car has an electric-heated windshield, turn it on for rapid results. Sprays can also be used as a great way to get rid of ice, however they can become pricey. An easy, at-home solution will do just the trick! Combine two parts 70% isopropyl alcohol with one part water and add a couple drops of dish soap. This solution sprayed on an icy windshield will quickly loosen the ice, allowing you to scrape it off much easier. Store the solution in the trunk of your car to make sure that you always have it on hand! It can be tempting to remove the least amount of ice necessary in order to see, however the proper procedure is to remove all ice from the windshield and windows. There even may be laws in your state that require all snow and ice to be removed from not only the windshield, but also the top of the car before driving. If you follow all of the tips that are provided above, we are sure that you will save at least a couple minutes off your morning commute!

Cars are some of the most significant purchases you'll make, so consider your choices carefully. Used cars are normally more affordable than new cars, but they typically don't come with warranties. Doing your due diligence before parting with your money will help you avoid the lemons. Look out for the following features on your used car search. All Accessories Working It might seem obvious, but you should check that everything in your used car works correctly. A test drive is the perfect opportunity to try everything out. Don't just test the accessories you need for safe driving. This is the time to ensure absolutely everything works as it should. Check the radio, and listen to make sure all speakers work. Test the air conditioner and heater to make sure they're cooling and heating effectively. Bring a CD to play if the car has a CD player. If the car has Bluetooth, try to connect your smartphone. It's also smart to test-drive your used vehicle with a friend who can check that the lights work. Ask whether your headlights, brake lights, and indicators all light up as expected. more Price Compared to Average Transaction Price When you're buying used, a car manufacturer's suggested retail price is of no use to you. That's because cars depreciate substantially once they leave the lot. They depreciate further as the years pass. There is, however, a used car equivalent called the average transaction price. Many reputable websites list average transaction prices for each make, model, and year. Knowing the average transaction price helps you spot great deals and negotiate more effectively. Tire Quality Tires connect your car to the road, ensuring a smooth and safe ride. As they degrade, they can impact the way your car handles and brakes. New cars come with brand-new tires, whereas used vehicles generally don't. Inspect each used car's tires, and use the penny test to check the tread. If the tires have insufficient tread, negotiate the price down to cover the cost of new ones. Unevenly worn tread can also indicate a larger problem, such as a worn suspension or uneven tire alignment. Free From Unusual Sounds and Smells While the things you see in your used car search matter, don't forget about your other senses. Unusual sounds and smells can alert you to potential problems. Pay attention to the way the car sounds during your test drive. Worn components or mechanical problems can cause clunking, grinding, squealing, and knocking sounds while you drive or brake. Does anything smell amiss when you drive? Smelling gas, burning oil, and smoke are all big red flags. If you ignore these problems, they're likely to cause more money in the long run. Keep searching for a car that doesn't make your senses tingle. Buying a used car can be a great way to secure a quality vehicle for a fraction of the cost of brand new. However, without a warranty for protection, you'll rely on your own observations to make the right choice. Visit us today at Tom O'Brien Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram - Greenwood, and browse our great Used Car and Truck Inventory! Image via jeep.com