Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales Blog

A first-aid kit in the car can come in handy for all sorts of purposes while you're out and about – not just in the event of a car accident. These are the essential items that you should pack in your car's roadside emergency first-aid kit. Standard Emergency Items Bandages, adhesive tape, antibiotic ointment, and gauze pads are some of the most common first-aid items that should be in every kit. A first-aid manual should also be easily accessible in your car in case of an emergency. Some of the other important items that you should include in your kit: Instant/chemical cold and hot packs Disposable gloves Plastic bags Scissors Tweezers Cotton balls and Q-tips Sterile eyewash Thermometers Soap and hand sanitizer In addition to these medical items in your kit, you should always have emergency items in your car if you experience trouble on the road. These are some of the most important emergency items to have with you at all times: Cell phone and charger Emergency contact numbers Waterproof flashlight and batteries Candles Blanket Flares Sunscreen Car-Lotta reminds you that another important point to consider is how and where you will store your first-aid kit in your vehicle. The most common options are a pouch or a box, but you can really use many of the containers that you may already have lying around the house

Buying your very first car is exciting, intimidating, and terrifying all at once! It's also a rite of passage for new drivers and a milestone to remember for the rest of your life. There are some key questions that you need to ask yourself, and you should probably consult with your family before committing to such a major purchase. With the weight of these factors on your shoulders, here are a few car buying tips for teen drivers. Questions to Consider These are some of the first questions that we feel you should ask yourself and discuss with your family before even setting foot in a dealership: How much money do I have to spend on a car? Should I buy a new or used car? What kind of car would best suit my needs? What are the most important safety and design features to me? Car-Lotta Car Sales is here to make we answer all of your finance questions.

The unofficial start to summer will be a busy one this year. Plan your drive ahead of time to choose direct routes on safe roads and keep an eye on weather forecasts to avoid driving with dangerous conditions. Never drive after drinking (by dominguez), travel with anyone who has been drinking, or allow anyone who has been drinking to drive. Following are tips for travel to destinations near and far this Memorial Day Weekend: Prepare before you go: Before hitting the road, make sure your car is safe for driving. Vehicle owners should check the oil, put air in the tires, and check for and repair open recalls. Visit ChecktoProtect.org to see if your vehicle has an open recall, and get it repaired for free. Drive distraction-free: Put your phones away and just drive. Slow down: Drive the speed limit and do not exceed it. Be sure to pay attention to those walking and biking in order to keep all road users safe. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to get there so if you do not make it to your destination as planned, someone will know and be able to send help. Do not drink and drive. Always use a designated driver. Buckle up: Seat belts are estimated to have saved 374,276 lives. Buckle up, while also making sure you have appropriate car seats installed correctly. These suggestions are really instructions that apply to any time you are driving either by yourself or with passengers. Just make sure to exercise extra care now that you know of the increased risk of being in an accident on this particular holiday weekend. Car-Lotta Car Sales will be closed on Monday, May 29th 2023 in observance of the holiday.

. Heavy rain can wear down the roads, creating potholes. It’s usually best to try and avoid driving over potholes as long as there is a safe way to do so. If not, exercise the same cautions as if it were a puddle: keep away from other vehicles, drive slowly, and maintain control of your vehicle. Be wary of puddles of water in or beside the roadway. When you can safely do so, it’s usually best to avoid driving through puddles. Water can damage and degrade different parts of your vehicle. Of course, if there is no safe alternate route, you may need to drive through the puddle. If that is the case, leave plenty of room between you and other vehicles, drive slowly, and use both hands on the steering wheel to avoid losing control If you come across one that is too big or dangerous to avoid or drive across, your best bet may be to turn around and find an alternate route. Follow these tips, drive defensively, and enjoy the lovely Spring weather. Happy driving, everyone!

Spring is when most people dust off their bikes and revisit the road. It might take a bit of effort to readjust to sharing the road with so many bicyclists and motorcyclists after a long winter. It’s crucial that you stay alert and attentive for riders on the road. Remember, they have just as much right to be on the road as any other vehicle. Keep an extra eye out for motorcyclists. Some basic tips for adjusting to such drivers is to keep constant situational awareness on the road. Use your mirrors and always look over your shoulder before turning or switching lanes and be sure to use your turn signal. It’s better to arrive late to your destination than not arrive at all. Follow these tips, drive defensively, and enjoy the lovely Spring weather. Happy driving, everyone!

Spring is a high-risk time for wildlife-vehicle collision. Even though Spring isn’t generally as bad as Fall in regards to wildlife-vehicle collisions, it is considered a peak time. You may find signs posted in high-traffic areas that wild animals tend to cross. Remember to exercise extreme caution in such areas. Drive at safe speeds and practice defensive driving techniques. Larger animals tend to roam around during sunrise and sunset. If you are Follow these tips, drive defensively, and enjoy the lovely Spring weather. Follow these tips, drive defensively, and enjoy the lovely Spring weather. Happy driving, everyone!

Many things make us different, but here is a short list... We are The "Car Credit Specialists." This is all we do. Over 18,000 customers and 28 years experience nultiple locations to choose from Exclusive Car-Lotta Credit Warranty Professional, experienced, highly trained staff Some of the best vehicles you will find! We match the car, the payments and the term of the loan to your individual situation We are in this for the long haul. We will always be here when you need us. This is only a short list. Call or stop in to see for yourself!

Car-Lotta Credit sells cars and makes loans to people that banks and most car dealerships don’t want, or aren’t prepared to deal with. One of our goals is to build a long term arrangement with you. The vehicle and loan you purchase will fit your ability to pay. We want you to complete your loan successfully and then purchase your next vehicle from us. Many of our customers are able to upgrade vehicles in 12 months from their first purchase from us. Your successful loan completion at Car-Lotta Credit will enhance your credit rating. Plus, when you buy from Car-Lotta Credit, we help you stay current. Your payments may be made weekly or bi-weekly instead of monthly. You may find it is easier for you to budget Because we don't shop your loan around to a bunch of banks, your credit report won't suffer by making it appear like you're looking for money—which is exactly what happens when you buy from other dealerships. Best of all, unlike smaller dealerships, each time you make an on-time payment to us, we'll report it to the credit bureaus, so you can start to establish a better credit rating immediately. Our customers get to know our sales and credit consultants, and we get to know you. This personal “relationship” helps you work through some of the potential problems you may have making payments. Try that at a bank!

Chances are, we probably have the vehicle you want, at one of our locations right now. Most of our customers can drive home in a Car-Lotta vehicle the same day they visit us. It can take as little as 20 minutes! Inventory selection is always good. You can even apply on-line 24/7 and be pre-approved before you arrive at our office. It doesn’t get much easier than this. At Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sale, we sell all kinds of cars, SUV’s, minivans and trucks, including work trucks. We have sporty 2 doors, 4 door sedans, minivans, and sport utilities. Mileage varies, but starts at about 40,000 miles. We have vehicles up to 2019’s in stock now. Do you need a work truck? How about something a little more reliable? Is a minivan more convenient for your growing family? Whatever you need we have it at one of our superstore locations. Every vehicle is serviced at our own in-house facility so you can be sure of safe, reliable transportation. All vehicles include our exclusive Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales Warranty.

Car-Lotta Credit helps people with credit problems such as bankruptcy, no credit or bad credit, get reliable transportation and a car loan, at terms they can afford. Most car dealerships are not prepared to deal with the credit challenged person. We are the specialists, this is all we do. We treat our customers with the respect they deserve. Have you been treated rudely or differently at a car dealership when the salesperson found out you had credit issues? NOT AT Car-Lotta Credit! Any credit problem you may have, no matter what it is, we’ve seen it before. Nothing you say is going to surprise us, or embarrass you. Car- We have helped over 28,000 people in Northeast PA get the car, minivan, suv or truck they want. No other dealer or vehicle finance company in Northeast PA has done more than Car-Lotta Credit has. We can help you.

Your car is your biggest investment and your true companion on the road! With spring comes car wash season! Get that winter grime off your car and remove corrosive salts from your undercarriage to help avoid damage. If you hand wash your car, make sure to do it in the shade—harsh sunlight can soften up the paint, making your car more prone to scratches Car-Lotta recommend washing your car at least once every two weeks

Winter can be hard on your car's body, paint, and undercarriage. The salt and grime from the winter builds up during the part of year most of us spend the least time cleaning our vehicles. Don't forget to wash the wheel wells out and hose off the undercarriage as best as you can. A good coat of wax can help extend the life of your paint from the summer sun. Cleaning the inside won't make your car run better, but it will make for a nicer ride for everyone in the vehicle. It's time to give your Car, Truck, or SUV a Spring Cleaning 1. Inspect your wiper blades and check your filters. The winter ice degrades the wipers rapidly and we all know that spring will bring plenty of rain showers. Don't wait until you can't see to replace your wipers. They are cheap and easy to install. installing them, we can do Winter also wears on your car's internal systems, which is why Spring is often a great time to have filters checked and replaced. 2. Rotate your tires, along with having the alignment and suspension checked. Mother Nature can really do some damage to our roads in the winter months. If you've encountered may potholes, this ie NEPA, chances are your car could use an alignment. Alignment issues will wear your tires faster, so keeping it aligned will save you money in the long run. If you feel your vehicle drifting to the left or the right, or if your steering wheel is not centered when you are driving down a flat, straight road than you deferentially need an alignment! 3. Check your oil and windshield wiper fluid. Now is the time to check your oil level and mileage to decide on your next oil change. It's also a good time to check windshield wiper fluid and potentially move to a summer solution. 4. Set your tire pressure and consider swapping tires. Temperature changes can make your tire pressures fluctuate. Now that the cold has finally left us (we hope) and temperatures are rising, check your tires and set them to the appropriate pressure. If you put on snow tires, it's time to switch back to all-season or Spring/Summer set. All of this can lower your fuel consumption, improve mileage, and help your tires last longer.

It is nearly impossible to turn on your tv, listen to the radio or search the net without seeing atleast one ad for auto insurance. We all know that price is an important factor when it comes to choosing an auto insurer. But making price your only consideration could leave you short on coverage when you need it most. Here are 7 things you should consider when comparing auto insurance quotes: Coverage. Options. Reputation. Service. Discounts. Price. Deductibles, coverage limits, endorsements. There are so many choices. You don’t need to know everything about auto insurance –an experienced agent can help you get the right coverage for your car and your budget. If something bad ever happens, they will make sure you’re back on your way, right away. Car-Lotta reminds you that if you’re buying a car, proof of insurance is required before driving your new car off the lot.

Memorial day is observed on the last Monday of May to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the military. This Federal Holiday commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. In other words, the purpose of Memorial Day is to memorialize the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. We spend time remembering those who lost their lives and could not come home, reflecting on their service and why we have the luxury and freedom that we enjoy today. We might consider how we can support and safeguard their grieving families and loved ones who are left behind. Car-Lotta Car Sales will be closed on Monday, May 30th, in observance of the holiday. We will re open on Tuesday, May 31st at 9:00 am.

Car-Lotta is reminding motorists to Just Buckle Up, because a click can save your life. A seat belt is your best defense against injury or death in the event of a crash. It increases your chances of surviving a crash by up to 60 percent. Still. too many motorists still refuse to buckle up for a variety of reasons. There's No Excuse Not To Buckle Up FACT: Three out of four crashes occur within 25 miles of home. Fact: You can still be thrown from a vehicle even if you are riding in the back seat. If you are unrestrained, you also pose a risk to others in the vehicle with you. FACT: Police departments are increasing nighttime enforcement. In addition, there are more high-risk drivers on the roads at night, such as impaired drivers and drowsy drivers, which may present increased risk for a crash. FACT: Wearing your seat belt is the best defense for you and your baby in the event of a crash. Adjust the lap belt so that it fits snugly over the hips and pelvis, below your belly. FACT: Less than one-half of one percent of all injury crashes involves fire or submersion. Also, national research has shown you are 25 times more likely to be killed if you are ejected from the vehicle. Pennsylvania participates in the national Click It or Ticket campaign, where more than 600 municipal police departments and Pennsylvania State Police conduct enforcement during waves in May and November. If you are a driver or passenger under 18 years of age, you must buckle up. Children under 8 years old must be properly restrained. If you are a driver 18 or older and police pull you over for another violation, you'll receive a second ticket if you or your front-seat passengers aren't wearing seat belts.

What ends up on your insurance bill depends largely on both what you drive and how you drive… as well as other things related to your overall life. Here are the most common things that affect the price of your auto premium. KEY FACTORS RELATED TO WHAT YOU DRIVE: Safety ratings Vehicle safety ratings are determined through tests and evaluations by the auto industry and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Insurance companies supplement that information by collecting large amounts of data from customer claims. Safer vehicles are often less expensive to insure. Insurance companies carefully track data on vehicles to determine which makes and models are more prone to mechanical or safety issues. Cost of maintenance and repairs Information about the cars that are cheapest to maintain and service can also be a good indicator of the most-affordable cars to insure. Vehicles that have lower reliability ratings can be a warning light of potentially higher insurance costs, because insurance companies take the data about maintenance and service of specific models into consideration when determining premium rates. You may think a smaller car means a smaller insurance premium. But not so fast. In an accident, larger vehicles tend to fare better – and keep occupants safer – than smaller vehicles. That can translate to lower premiums for a larger vehicle. If your car has an alarm, a tracking device to help police recover it, or another theft deterrent, it's less attractive to thieves… and less expensive to insure, too. KEY FACTORS RELATED TO HOW YOU DRIVE: It’s not just about the car, but also the driver. Here are some key ways how you drive can factor into insurance pricing. Are you a road warrior, or a homebody? The difference will show up in your premium rates. Someone who drives only a few miles a week will likely pay less for auto insurance than someone who covers hundreds of miles most weeks. It just makes sense, the more time on the road increases the chances of being involved in a crash or sustaining damage to your car. Your credit history Research has shown that good credit is connected to good driving – and vice versa. Certain credit information can be predictive of future insurance claims. When permissible, many insurance companies use credit history to help determine the cost of car insurance. The bottom line: Good credit can have a positive impact on the cost of your car insurance. Crash rates are higher for all drivers under age 25, especially single males. Insurance prices in most states reflect these differences. If you're a student, you might also be in line for a discount. Most car insurers provide discounts to student-drivers who take driver-safety training and start building a safe driving record. One key factor that goes into insurance pricing is largely out of your control – at least in the short-term. That’s where you live. Generally, due to higher rates of vandalism, theft, and crashes, drivers in more densely populated areas may pay more for car insurance. If you do live in a higher cost insurance area, make sure to pay close attention to the other factors that you can control. An ERIE agent can help. Car-Lotta reminds you that doing your homework makes a difference It’s no fun getting an unexpected surprise about insurance costs. Doing some homework upfront about potential auto insurance rates, you can make informed decisions and better understand why your rates go up or down.

In general, your auto will usually need a new battery after three to four years. Replacing your battery is another part of routine maintenance. Getting your battery checked and inspected is standard for your service visits after three years, even if you haven't needed it replaced yet. To help the life span of the battery.... TURN OFF ALL ELECTRONICS BEFORE YOU TURN OFF YOUR ENGINE Your battery’s primary function is to provide the power needed to start your engine. Once your engine is running, it acts as a generator that supplies power to your battery. If your air conditioning is left on when you turn off your car, the next time your turn your key in the ignition, you’re tasking your battery with starting the engine AND starting the AC, which puts an added strain on your battery. For the same reason, unplug external electronics like cell phones and iPods before you turn off your engine. DON’T RUN ANYTHING ELECTRIC WHEN YOUR ENGINE ISN’T RUNNING Your battery is made to start your car, not to power your headlights and radio. If you’re sitting in your car waiting for someone and you need your headlights on or want to listen to your radio, just keep your engine running so that it generates the electricity to power your battery. KEEP YOUR BATTERY TERMINAL CORROSION-FREE Even if you have no idea what’s going on under the hood, you can easily identify corrosion on the battery—it’s a chalky white buildup. Clean it off with baking soda mixed with water: dip an old toothbrush in the baking soda water and scrub the terminal clean, use a water spray bottle to rinse the terminal, then dry with a clean cloth. Be sure to wear rubber gloves when doing this—they call it battery acid for a reason. PARK IN A GARAGE WHENEVER POSSIBLE Extreme heat and cold can both drain your battery’s power. INVEST IN A BATTERY TENDER If you don’t use your car for extended periods, invest in a battery tender. An idle battery slowly loses its charge. To keep an idle battery at full capacity, it should be charged every six weeks. The cost of a battery will vary based on the year of your vehicle, model and who you’re purchasing the battery from. On average batteries for newer vehicles cost anywhere from $80 to $150. Premium batteries for luxury vehicles can run as high as $200. Keep in mind, that cost doesn’t include installation or your mechanic’s labour. A reputable mechanic shop will probably charge an average of $70 for installation.

We all know it- Auto prices have reached an all-time high since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In November 2021, the average used automobile cost 41% more than pre-pandemic. Fortunately, car prices could return to normal sometime this year. Conditions will gradually improve throughout 2022. If you have a used car to sell, we recommend that you do it sooner rather than later to get the best price. If you’re looking to buy a used car, uyou may want to hold off for as long as you can into 2022. If you can wait until early next year, you’ll be even more likely to get a deal (or at least a fair price).

Winter fog forms on the inside of windshields and windows due to warm, humid air lingering in vehicles as frigid winter temps cool the glass from outside. You can wipe away this fog as a quick solution. To clear your view more quickly from the inside, put your AC on full heat and direct the air as fully as possible onto your glass surfaces. As the air from your heater warms, the air will be able to remove and evaporate more of the moisture collected on your glass. You can also try turning off the air recirculation mode . This pulls dry air in from outside your vehicle instead of recirculating the humid air trapped inside. Car-Lotta reminds you that if you'd rather avoid the hassle of fog altogether, there are plenty of inexpensive products available that ensure you won't have to deal with fogged windows on a busy morning ever again.

Winter driving may get tricky. Having certain items like blankets in your vehicle can help keep you warm in case you get stuck. Did you ever think about storing other accessories that fit with winter appeal? Gloves are a good essential that you may want to keep in your car to keep your hands from freezing whether you’re remaining inside your vehicle or having to step outside.Keep an extra set as your backup in the case the other goes missing or soaked. Water-resistant ones are a plus. Other good winter gear to store includes an extra hat and a scarf and perhaps a pair of snow pants or boots. Car-Lotta wants to know.... What winter-related items do you keep inside your automobile?

Did you kow that if you are involved in an accident in Pennsylvania with a deer your insurance company cannot add a surcharge to your premium? Under Pennsylvania state law, crashes involving deer are considered not-at-fault accidents, and insurance companies cannot add a surcharge to a policyholder’s premium as a result. This does not include drivers that do not come into contact with a deer. Early winter months have the highest rates of accidents involving deer. Pennsylvania had the second highest rate of auto accidents involving deer in the country. Pennsylvanians have a one in 70 chance of being involved in a deer-related accident. Deer are most active at dawn and dusk, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Now that Daylight savings time has ended, more drivers will be making their daily commutes during these peak hours. To report a dead deer for removal from PA state-maintained roads, you can call the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation at 1-800-FIX-ROAD.

Car-Lotta reminds you to.... 1. Plan Ahead Before you start your trip, make sure your vehicle is in good shape for travel. This is especially important for winter driving conditions. Check the weather before heading out to ensure the roads are safe to drive on. And don’t forget a windshield scraper! 2. Stay Fresh And Alert Make sure you’re well-rested before a long drive. A study carried out by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) discovered that, from 2009 to 2013, 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries, and 800 deaths were attributed to driver fatigue. Plan the trip so you share the driving and take regular breaks to avoid drowsy driving. 3. Mind Your Speed Give yourself plenty of time and distance to react to the traffic around you. For every one percent increase in speed, a driver’s chance of an accident increases by two percent, the chance of serious injury increases by three percent, and the chance of a fatality increases by about four percent. 4. Drive Defensively Put the safety of everyone in your car first by letting impatient and aggressive drivers pass you or go through the intersection ahead of you so that you control the situation. 5. Don’t Drive Impaired If you plan to drink, don’t plan to drive. Use a designated driver when you have a couple of holiday refreshments is always the safest choice. 6. Avoid Distractions Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds. At 55 mph, that’s enough time to travel the distance of an entire football field. Driving requires your full attention. When you’re able to do so safely, pull off to the side of the road or find the nearest rest stop when you have to use your cell phone. Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Car-Lotta Car Sales. Our offices will be closing at 5:00 on Wednesday, November 24th and CLOSED on Thursday, November 25th

One of the most important safety features of your vehicle, your headlights ensure that you can see and that other drivers can see you. Effectively using your lights is key to staying safe on the road. It's common sense to turn on your lights when it’s dark out. Did you know that there are other situations when you may want to use your lights? It may feel unnatural to turn on your lights during the day, but there are some conditions that warrant the use of your lights. Inclement weather such as snow, rain, fog and sleet can reduce visibility and make it hard to see and be seen. Using your lights during these conditions can keep you and your passengers safe when the weather turns bad. Car-Lotta reminds you to keep an eye on the sky for changing weather conditions. Storms can quickly roll in and make the sky dark as night. Winter can bring sudden snow squalls and blowing snow that can produce whiteouts and reduce your line of sight.

Daylight saving time began this past weekend. It has gotten easier since the smartphone has replaced so many wristwatches and can access the internet. In automobiles, GPS-linked navigation systems often change the time automatically in the same way. Many folks still have a clock in their car that not only needs adjusting manually but is often the most complicated function in the entire Daylight Saving Here is a link https://cartelligent.com/blog/setting-your-cars-clock-back-daylight-saving-time/ with instuctions for changing your auto clock on some popular makes. Just find your brand in the alphabetical list below, follow the directions to change your clock.

Do you ever wonder why people are in a hurry? Here are the five most popular reasons we found: The roads were not congested, so I felt it was safe to drive faster than posted speed limit. I’m a good driver, so I felt I could drive safely, even at high speeds. It seemed like there was far less law enforcement out, so I felt I could speed without getting a ticket. In general, I think posted speed limits are slower than necessary and I prefer to drive faster. The empty roads were a good opportunity to see how fast my car could go. Car-Lotta Car Sales reminds you to Drive At A Safe Speed. One in four crash fatalities can be attributed to someone driving too fast.