Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales Blog

Now that temperatures are starting to consistently drop below 45°F over nite, it’s probably time to change over your tires from Summer to Winter. Many people use a rule of thumb of using winter or snow tires from Thanksgiving to Tax Day – basically, November to April. In NEPA... this comes a little earlier. You should definitely have winter tires installed before the winter weather hits. If you consistently are able to see your breath, it's time to mount winter tires. Winter tires are specifically built to work best in colder temperatures. They are made with rubber compounds that are specifically designed to stay more flexible in the cold temperatures. Winter tires should ideally be used in a full set of four tires. Having tires with differing levels of grip can drastically upset the way the car handles and can lead to a loss of control.

When the weather starts to drop, so do leaves from trees. Those stunning leaves in beuatiful shades of orange, red, yellow, and brown are damaging your vehicle’s paint. Leaves contain acid-based materials, such as tree sap, that can damage your car's paint. The bottom layer of leaves is often wet, which can act like glue and stick to your car's paint.As leaves decompose, they release sap, tannic acids, and other natural compounds that can damage your car's paint To protect your car's paint from leaves, you can: Remove leaves quickly by hand to avoid scratching your car's paint. You can also use a leaf blower with light air pressure or a vacuum Remove tree sap by using rubbing alcohol on a cloth or a tree sap remover to remove tree sap. Wash your car After cleaning off your car, why not give it a rinse or take it through a car wash.

Engine rattling noise, (clicking sound in an engine) can happen for a number of reasone. Whether it's engine knocking when accelerating or some kind of spark knock or just a general engine noise, some are more serious than others. One thing that’s true is that it's never good to leave it alone. There are a bunch of reasons you might be hearing your car engine making noise. Engine Rattling When Accelerating may be Belt Tensioner Engine Rattling At Idle could be Spark Plug Knock or Collapsed Lifters Engine Noise When Cold could be Rod Knock Sound or Piston Slap Engine Rattling When It’s Hot could be Low Oil Pressure or a Heat Shield Hopefully this gave you a better idea of where to start your search and ultimately helped you find your rattling noise.

What is a Pothole?? They are pot-shaped depressions in a road surface.The most common cause of these are traffic and water. Potholes can be dangerous and expensive to fix if they damage your vehicle. There are four main areas of the car that are most likely to be damaged: the suspension, steering, wheels, and tires. Suspension misalignment can cause your car to mishandle and potentially put the occupants at risk of a crash. Other suspension problems include broken ball joints and damaged struts or shocks. Potholes can dent or bend aluminum or steel wheels. Remember to drive on tires that are properly inflated and in good condition. Be alert to what’s ahead, and make sure you keep enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you so you can avoid issues. Recognize that though you might miss the first pothole, there can be another waiting. If can’t avoid a pothole, SLOW DOWN and hold your steering wheel tightly. Don’t brake. This will allow you to maintain the most control during the impact.

Turn signals are your way of informing the other drivers the direction you're going to move your vehicle. If you don't use your signals, the other vehicles won't know what you're planning to do, and you could get into an accident. Be sure to signal properly as you travel around the roads. Turn signals are amber or yellow lights on your vehicle that flash. All modern vehicles come equipped with turn indicator lights today, but some have more lights than others. They indicate that you’re about to move your vehicle by turning, changing lanes, parking, or merging. The law requires you to use your turn signals to let other drivers and road users know your intentions and are important for your vehicle's safe operation. Not everyone uses their turn signals as regularly as they should. Their usage dramatically reduces the number of accidents and driver errors. Remember, turn signals are not only a legal requirement but also a crucial safety feature that helps prevent accidents on the road.

The arrival of autumn brings with it a unique set of challenges for drivers. Falling leaves can gather in a pile and create a road hazard. Wet leaves can be as slippery as ice. Fallen leaves can also hide road markings and obscure hazards like potholes and bumps as well as obscure traffic lines and other pavement markings. Other fall hazards for motorists can be fog and sun glare and morning frost. Here are a few fall driving tips: Increase your following distance in severe weather, at dusk and dawn and when in an area with wet leaves. If you are being tailgated, let the other driver pass. Check your vehicle's headlights, taillights and turn signals to ensure they are working properly since darkness will be a part of many driver's morning and/or evening commutes. Make sure you turn on your headlights as the sunlight fades. Have your vehicle's heating and wiper systems checked to ensure they are working properly. Be sure you have tires with sufficient tread depth in case of an early season snow.

It's happening, the weather is gettting cooler and the leaves are starting to change colors. It’s time to get ready for a change of seasons at home and your vehicle. Fall car maintenance is important to keep your auto in shape for the colder weather. Wondering what to do to make sure your vehicle is ready for autumn? Here are a few car care tips for fall: Getting Your Car Ready for Fall: A Complete Car Maintenance Checklist AC/Heating System Check. ... Change or Top off the Fluids. ... Tire Pressure Matters. ... Brighten up the Headlights. ... Change the Wipers. ... Car Maintenance Checklist for the Battery. ... Detailing and Sanitization. It may seem like a lot to keep track of, but if you follow this a car care checklist, you’ll be more than prepared for when the snow starts to fall.

We've already seen the return of yellow school buses and all things pumpkin spice. Are you plannning end of summer festivities over Labor Day? By now we hope you have made your travel plans for the popular three-day weekend. Congestion is expected on most major routes. You should also be alert of wildfire activity and road closures affecting travel plans.Most construction will be paused over the holiday weekend to help limit congestion. Remeber to go early or late and give yourlves plenty of extra time. Crashes or emergency road repairs also can add to travel time. Car-Lotta Car Sales will be closed on Monday September 2nd and will re open on Wednesday, September 3rd. Have a Happy and Safe Labor Day holiday!

It's that time of year....School buses are picking up their passengers, parents are trying to drop their kids off before work. It's never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention than when kids are present – especially before and after school School buses are the most regulated vehicles on the road. Designed to be safer than passenger vehicles in preventing crashes and injuries to protect children from other motorists. If you're driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. This gives you more time to stop once the yellow lights start flashing. It is illegal to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. Never pass a bus from behind or from either direction if you're on an undivided road – when it is stopped to load or unload children If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children Stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus Stay alert! children can be unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards

Hitting a pothole can damage your vehicle- this is a no brainer! Unfortunately, pothole damage is an every day road hazard and is a potential nightmare for your car. You may experience : Tire puncture Wheel rim damage Premature wear on shocks and struts Suspension damage, including broken components Steering system misalignment Exhaust system damage Engine damage If you hit pot hole or suspect pothole damage occurred—, take your vehicle to be looked at as soon as possible. Quickly identifying and correcting negative effects of pothole damage will save you from costlier damage to your car’s valuable parts.

If you are in a lane marked for a turn only, then you must complete the turn! Pennsylvania traffic laws require drivers to stay in the appropriate lane for their intended maneuver. This means using the right lane for right turns and the center lane for going straight. Going straight in a right turn lane can create confusion and potentially cause accidents by blocking other vehicles attempting to turn right. Road markings and signs clearly indicate the intended use of each lane, including designated right turn lanes.Violating lane markings and driving unsafely can result in traffic citations and penalties.

Speed bumps, are used to reduce speeds and to help make neighborhoods safer. They're usually placed on residential streets and other low-speed roads with speed limits under 35 mph. Some say they can cause a 40% reduction in speed helping prevent speed-related accidents and reduce the risk of injury or death to children and pedestrians. Speed bumps can also make drivers more alert and help with traffic control. Speed humps Speed humps, are slightly smaller than speed bumps but longe. These tend to work best to keep traffic between 10 – 15 MPH. Some say that speed bumps can have negative effects, including: Vehicle damage Damage tires and suspensions, May cause power steering to leak fluids. Increased emergency response time Increased traffic noise Reduced fuel efficiency Force drivers to brake and accelerate repeatedly, which can reduce a car's fuel efficiency. Dangerous driving behaviors Speed bumps can encourage drivers to take dangerous actions, like driving off-road to avoid them. There are always going to be bumps in the road- They may slow you down... Don't let them stop you!

Water on the Road If water is present over all or part of the road it me be trafficable, but you should proceed with caution. Standing water refers to water that isn't flowing anywhere, so a puddle is one kind of standing water, but standing water is often used in the context of driving, when you have to be careful because standing water on the road could cause an accident A road running below the water level of a stream or river is often known as a "watersplash". It is a common name for a ford or stretch of wet road in some areas, and is sometimes also used to describe tidal crossings. Floating roads are roads that float on water or are built on a very unstable substrate, like peat. These roads can represent both temporary and permanent solution in areas where standard roads are difficult or even impossible to build due to unfavorable natural conditions.

This summer is flying by! It’s hard to believe it is almost August. School will be starting again in a few short weeks. It truly feels like this summer is going by way too fast! Here is your reminder to enjoy every moment left of this summer before it’s gone!!! There is still time for vacations and summer road trips. Now is a good time to review these summer driving safety tips. A little planning and some safety checks might spare you from dealing with a breakdown — or worse, a crash. A long with your cell phone , it's best to carry an emergency roadside kit with you. Cell phone and charger First aid kit Flashlight Flares and a white flag Jumper cables Tire pressure gauge Jack (and ground mat) for changing a tire Work gloves and a change of clothes Basic repair tools and some duct tape (for temporarily repairing a hose leak) Water and paper towels for cleaning up Nonperishable food, drinking water, and medicines Extra windshield washer fluid Maps Emergency blankets, towels and coats Always check the weather, road conditions, and traffic. Don’t rush, allow plenty of time to get there safely. Familiarize yourself with directions and maps before you go, Be sure to let others know your route and anticipated arrival time. Have FUN with everything you do!

There are many apps that can help you check road conditions. There are navigation apps, weather apps, and even apps that offer roadside assistance: Navigation apps provide real-time traffic updates and other information to help you plan your route: The more popular are Wazae and Google Maps and Apple Apps. Some allows users to report incidents and hazards, such as accidents, slowdowns, speed traps, and dangerous driving conditions. Waze also provides safety alerts for roadworks, potholes, speed bumps, sharp curves, bad weather, emergency vehicles, and railway crossings. They provides real-time traffic and navigation information, including ETAs, traffic conditions, and automatic rerouting and even route options and allows you to plot waypoints along your route. Weather apps can help you plan your trip around bad weather: based on your departure time, showing what to expect at each point along your route, including severe storms, tornadoes, icing, fog, blizzards, dangerous temperatures, and high winds. Weatherbug: Some say this is one of the best and most reliable weather apps. Roadside assistance apps can help you get assistance if you need it including request help and track your driver's progress, jumpstarting a battery or fixing a flat tire.

The day after a holiday for some is a buffer day. Some say that knowing they don't have to get up for work the next day releaves some stress from the holdiy. If you were traveling, having a day to unpack, do laundry, get groceries, before having to return to work you may need this extra day to decompress. This works especailly well if the holiday falls on a Thursday and you have a extended weekend. It anticipates that it TSA will screen more than 3 million individuals today surpassing the agency’s current record for most people screened on a single day,

It is projected that 70.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday travel period*. 60.6 million people will travel by car. Drivers can expect the worst traffic delays on Wednesday, July 3rd, as they leave town, and Sunday, July 7th, as they return. See the following for the Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car Date Worst Travel Time Best Travel Time Monday, Jul 1 Minimal Traffic Impact Expected Tuesday, Jul 2 2:00 – 6:00 PM After 7:00 PM Wednesday, Jul 3 2:00 – 7:00 PM Before Noon Thursday, Jul 4 2:00 – 7:00 PM Before Noon Friday, Jul 5 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM Before 10:00 AM Saturday, Jul 6 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM Before 10:00 AM Sunday, Jul 7 2:00 – 8:00 PM Before 11:00 AM Monday, Jul 8 1:00 – 5:00 PM After 7:00 PM

Baby it's Hot Outside! Air condition the proper way.... Air conditioning is great, but you can do more than to turn it on. The way your air conditioner is set up can change how fast your auto cools down. If you want to do cool as quickly and efficiently as possible there are a few things you can do. Make sure the A/C is on the coldest setting, and then that the climate control is set to draw in external air. Then, open the windows slightly, and set the A/C to come out of the lowest vents. Since cold air is heavier than hot air, it’ll make sure the hot air gets pushed up and out of the window. Once the air coming from the vents feels cooler than the outside air, shut the windows and switch to recirculated air. Your A/C will do its thing and keep you nice and cool.

Parking is the action of moving a vehicle into a place in a car park or by the side of the road where it can be left. Why is it called parking your car? The term “to park” originated from the practice of placing cannon carriages parallel to one another; in such a position these are said to be parked. Cars left unattended on streets or in public areas were a major problem for cities at the turn of the 20th century. How to perfect car parking? 1 – Find a parking spot. The parking spot should have at least 0.5 – 1m on each side. ... 2 – Drive slowly and enter at an angle. Enter the parking spot at an angle and slowly edging forward until your car is correctly positioned within the white lines. 3 – Align the car in the parking spot. ... 4 – Open the car doors carefully. Want to Park Like A Pro... Keep Practicing. Choose the Right Spot. Know the Size of Your Vehicle. Set the Mirrors Correctly. Understand the Parking Dimensions. Align Your Car.

Your windshield fog can occur when warm air inside a car meets and cools rapidly against the windows, causing condensation and liquid to form. As the liquid evaporates, it can leave behind a cloudy fog. The easiest way to keep your car windows from fogging up is to open a window, even just a little bit. Letting some of the air inside your car escape will help equalize the temperature difference between the outside and inside of your vehicle. It will prevent water vapor from forming on your windows in the first place. Here are some other tips for clearing foggy windows in hot weather: 1. Utilize your windshield wipers. 2. Heat up the interior of your vehicle. 3. Keep recirculation turned off: To combat foggy windows, deactivate the recirculation feature in your car so that the interior temperature and humidity align with the external conditions.

Did you know that the color of your car can make a $5,000 difference in how much you sell it for? Yellow, beige and orange will bring the most money when it’s time to sell Yellow, beige, orange and green cars all lose less than 20 percent of their value Gold, brown and black cars drop the most in value, losing over $10,000 after 3 years SUVs: Yellow Is the Best Color for SUV Resale Value Pickup Trucks: Beige Scores Big With Off-Road Truck Buyers Sedans: Brown Moves From Zero to Hero in the Sedan Category Convertibles: Yellow Is Popular With the Drop-Top Crowd Coupes: Yellow Is Also the Top Resale Value Color for Coupe Buyers Minivans: Minivan Buyers Go Green…and Brown The average car loses 22.5 percent of its value after 3 years, but yellow cars only lose 13.5 percent, which equates to saving more than $3,000 compared to the average vehicle Yellow, beige, orange and green cars all lose less than 20 percent of their value Gold, brown and black cars drop the most in value, losing over $10,000 after 3 years So, which car color is the best? At the end of the day, it's totally up to you.

This U.S. federal holiday is observed on the last Monday of May to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the military. Nearly 44 million people are expected to be on the move over the four-day weekend Memorial Day 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 27th in observance of the holiday. We will re open on Tuesday, May 28th at 9:00 am.

Getting stuck in traffic is like a rite of passage for all drivers. Whether you like it or not, it’s happened to you, and it’s most likely going to happen again. Nobody wants to be sitting in a traffic jam, but at least make the best of it. If you’re a passenger, or if you’re pulled over to the side of the road, out of the way of other cars/traffic – Here’s a handy list of things to do to pass the time; Bust out your Karaoke chops Play the license plate abbreviation game Make the person/people in the car next to you laugh Switch it up with a podcast Clean up the general area around your seat Do some car exercises Start a round of I-Spy Become a champion of 20 Questions Phone a friend- It’s always good to catch up with people! The most important tip of all though: pay attention to the traffic around you! The games and advice may be fun to do, but driving is always your top priority.

When a lane is closed in a construction zone, a zipper merge occurs when motorists use both lanes of traffic until reaching the defined merge area, and then alternate in "zipper" fashion into the open lane. Merge points are specifically set up for vehicles to merge from two lanes into one lane in a zipper fashion. This keeps traffic flowing. Each car should alternate zipper fashion into the remaining open lane just before the point of closure. When there is a lane closure ahead, drivers should continue to drive in both lanes equally. Just before the lane ends, cars should take turns filling in the open lane carefully and resume full speed. In a Zipper Merge, please be respectful of those who wait to merge until just before the lane ends; they are doing it correctly

Pennsylvania has many roads that connect with various arteries that go through many areas. Weekday mornings and early evenings, no matter what direction you’re going, you’ll likely end up stuck in some hot traffic hell. Despite the perils of a long commute, most people in our drive to work. More than 75% make the trek to work alone. The stress of waiting in gridlock can get intense if you’re in a hurry, leaving you feeling frustrated and anxious about the traffic. That stress can translate into deeper health hazards. Try to distract yourself with your smartphone, and you can put yourself and other drivers in even more danger. We understand how frustrating road construction can be! It’s one of those necessary inconveniences that can disrupt our daily routines.