If you’re planning to take your pet with you on a trip in your used car in Ohio, start early when the pet is young to get yourself and your pet used to the routine. Short jaunts across town and back or easy day trips will get your pet used riding in your car or truck. A carsick pet can make a trip miserable for everyone.
A seat upholstery protector, such as a pet hammock or waterproof seat cover will make clean-ups much easier in case your pet does get sick or has an accident. Be sure to bring along cleaning supplies to avoid having to search out a place to purchase them at the last minute.
To make your travel experience with your furry family member fun and enjoyable, here are a few tips you can follow:
Safely secure your pet while traveling. An unrestrained pet can become a deadly projectile in the event of a sudden stop or crash, causing serious injury (even death) to passengers and to your dog. Based on some research we came across for example, an unsecured, 25-pound dog in a 40 mph crash becomes a 1,000-pound mass (half a ton) flying uncontrollably inside the vehicle.
Never attach a restraining device to the pet’s collar. Instead, use a harness to prevent injury.
Never allow your cat to roam freely in the vehicle. Cats can more easily get tangled around your feet or obstruct your vision. Cats should be contained in a crate, cage or pet car seat that is secured with a seat belt.
We know they love to do it, but especially on long trips when you are on the highway, do not allow your pet to ride with its head outside of the window. An projectile could potentially strike your pet’s head, causing injury or death, or dirt particles could get into your pet’s ears, nose, eyes, or throat, causing health issues.
It’s a great idea to stop every couple of hours so that you and your pet can stretch. Be sure to have your pet’s leash handy to have control and so your pet doesn’t run away in unfamiliar surroundings or into oncoming traffic.
Have your own supply of cold water set aside for Fido, as fresh water is not always handy or convenient when you need to stop.
Don’t allow your pet to overeat or drink if you still have more traveling to do. Reserve your pet’s main meal for the end of the day when you are taking a more lengthy break.
Temperatures in confined spaces in the summer time can heat up fast, causing heatstroke — even death — to a pet. Extremely cold temperatures in the winter can be just as threatening, so be sure not to leave a pet in the car unattended.
Pack a pet first-aid kit when venturing out. Phone numbers for your pet’s vet, the National Animal Poison Control Center hotline (888-426-4435), and emergency pet hospitals in the areas where you plan to travel should be taken along as well.
A travel tag on a pet’s collar will help someone locate you should you and your pet become separated somehow. The travel tag should contain information about where you are staying locally (while away from home), including addresses and phone numbers. Adding a cell phone number is also a good idea since most people have one with them, especially when they travel.
We hope that these tips help you in your travels with your furry family members. These tips are great to use whether you are traveling in a new or used vehicle in Ohio. Ohio drivers, did we miss anything? Do you like traveling with your pet? I will admit, I always have!
What may look to you like a Segway with two seats, a rollcage, and some hazard tape is in fact a Segway with two seats, a rollcage, and some hazard tape. It’s also part of General Motors’ effort to recast itself as a viable, environmentally friendly automaker and it may also be a glimpse at the future of urban transportation Wellington, Ohio!
“We’re talking about zero emissions, renewable energy; a vehicle that’s safe to use in the environment its intended for, and less stress because you’re not stuck in traffic jams as much,” said Christopher Borroni-Bird, GM’s director of advanced technology vehicle concepts.
The prototype, which was demonstrated in New York , is part of Project P.U.M.A (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility), a recent partnership between GM and Segway. Powered by lithium-ion batteries, it’s about half the length of a Smart car, has a top speed of 35 mph, and a range of up to 25 miles. GM says it would cost only 25-30 percent as much to own and operate as a conventional vehicle.
The powertrain and two-wheel balancing technology comes from Segway. Per an article we read on the subject, GM aims to lend its expertise in manufacturing and exterior design, as well as its growing knowledge of lithium-ion batteries. Further down the line, it also sees P.U.M.A as a way to apply its research in vehicle-to-vehicle communications systems – cars that can drive them selves and synchronize with each other to ease the flow of traffic.
Many automakers, from BMW, to Mitsubishi, to Mazda, have been pushing urban car concepts as a way to solve congestion and pollution problems in the world’s growing cities. For GM, there’s the added incentive of showing the government and the public that it’s capable of forward thinking.
Well, perhaps the days of futuristic vehicles communicating with one another, driving themselves, and the like are closer than we think. We are not sure this vehicle would be a smash hit in Ohio, so until it does, make sure to check out our used vehicle selection in Ohio.
When you set out to buy a used car in Wellington, you automatically assume the information printed on the title is correct and true. Beware, this may not always be the case. The majority of car titles contain accurate info, but some may have been what insiders call “washed”. There could be some information intentionally left off that would influence whether or not you say “yes” to that used car.
Now, I know you’re wondering what kind of facts can be erased from a car’s title?
First, keep in mind that researching a car title may not dig up any dirt on the title. The most common damages that get erased from a car title include being in a flood and being in a wreck and classified as totaled by an insurance company.
So how does such pertinent information get left off? Some dealers and mechanics purchase salvaged cars and trucks and after refurbishing, they can then transfer the identification serial number tags of a non-damaged vehicle to the repaired one, register it to a new owner or in a different state and it will no longer have the damage history on the title. It’s sad that there are dealers out there who practice this type of deceit.
To be fair, there are damaged cars that have been rebuilt safely and make a great purchase. The point is that a buyer should be able to know the vehicle’s true history and make the decision whether or not to purchase that vehicle based on accurate information.
For now, buyers will have to just do as much research as possible on the title and a close visual inspection as well. Check for an unusual amount of rust under the vehicle or a musty smell, which may indicate flood damage. Look for welded parts on the frame, shiny parts that don’t match the wear of other original parts or paint that doesn’t match. Those could be indicators of a previous work being done to the vehicle.
Sometimes not only are used cars not only thoroughly washed inside and out, but their titles are too. Most dealers show clean car titles, but keep in mind that not all of them do. If you are in the market for your next used vehicle in Ohio, trust Lee Schubert Best Choice Automotive to be your honest Ohio dealer.
When the Obama administration proposed its “cash-for-clunkers” plan in 2009, the initial reaction was quite favorable. Congress would spend around $3 billion to encourage drivers to let go of their old gas-guzzlers for newer, more fuel-efficient cars in Ohio and beyond. Who wouldn’t love that? The program would hopefully offer a boost to the crippled auto industry while simultaneously benefiting the environment. The program proved so popular with consumers that it burned through $1 billion in its first five days upon launching.
From the beginning, critics were already pointing out that cash for clunkers might not work as well as planned. For one thing, the fuel-economy requirements were pretty lax: In theory, a person could trade in a Hummer that got 14 mpg and get a $3,500 voucher for a new 18-mpg SUV. Moreover, that slight gain in efficiency would be partially offset by the energy costs involved in manufacturing the new car. In regards to economics, critics argued, the program might simply move up purchases that would’ve happened regardless — thereby providing little actual stimulus.
Reporting suggests that the naysayers may have been correct. A newly updated analysis from economists at Resources for the Future finds that the actual benefits of the program were fairly meager. The paper examined U.S. car sales using trends in Canada as a control group, and estimated that about 45 percent of cash-for-clunker vouchers went to consumers whose wheels were already turning towards buying new cars. In the end, the program boosted U.S. vehicle sales by just 360,000 in July and August of 2009 and provided no clear stimulus thereafter. The program increased average fuel economy in the United States by just 0.65 miles per gallon.
Now, we can say that something is better than nothing. First of all, handing $3,500 vouchers to people who would’ve bought cars anyway still counts as stimulus. Another point that we found interesting mentioned in the RFF paper was that the program reduced overall U.S. carbon-dioxide emissions by between 9 million and 28.4 million tons. So that implies that it cost between $91 and $288 per ton to get those reductions — a pretty shabby bargain as far as carbon policy goes in our opinion. The program did have some benefits, it’s hard though to argue that it was an efficient way to dole out cash.
What was your take on the program? Did you take advantage of purchasing a vehicle in Ohio with a voucher? Was it a good experience?
When you’re shopping for a new-to-you but used car or truck in Ohio, you’ll want to review the vehicle’s history report before purchasing the car of your dreams. We’ve been in the car business for a long time and our customers will tell you that we treat them fairly and give them as much information as possible to help them make the best decision for their situation. Buyer’s remorse is not fun for Ohio car dealerships nor for the consumer who purchase cars from them. When reviewing a history report for a vehicle, here is a short list of some items to pay attention to.
Number of Owners: A great rule of thumb is that if it’s a one-owner vehicle, it’s probably had more care than one owned by several people. Don’t be weary if the car of your dreams is not one owner as you may come across the perfect car that has no problems at all.
Prior Rental: Check to see if it was a rental car or served as some form of taxi in it’s prior life. Because of the possible wear and tear, sometimes prior rentals will have a lower price – so this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A great vehicle that fits your needs and your budget may come in the form of a car or truck that was prior rental.
Stolen Vehicle: Make sure the make, model and description of the vehicle matches the one that is there in front of you. You might want to match the VIN on the vehicle history report to the vehicle as a precaution. Follow your gut if your mind is telling you to double check, just in case.
Accidents: Many of us get in minor fender ever so often. Look closely to see if there was major body work done. This can indicate a serious accident and possible body damage, and therefore, larger headaches down the road.
If you’re buying a used car or truck in Ohio directly from the owner, consider getting it checked out by your local mechanic first. What other things do you look for when buying a pre-owned vehicle in Ohio?
We see it all the time. Ohio driver’s browsing the lot, scratching their heads wondering what in the heck do all of those terms and numbers actually mean and most importantly, what does it mean to their pocket books. I’ve heard several car dealer radio commercials and I can see how the terms can get confusing for the non-dealer population. I decided to break down a few of the terms that you will come across when you walk into an Ohio car dealership in search of your new car or truck.
Invoice Amount:
This is the amount that the Ohio car dealer paid to the manufacturer for the vehicle.
MSRP:
MSRP is short for Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. This is often called the “sticker price” and it is the amount that is recommended as a sales price by the manufacturer.
Dealer Posted Price:
Dealers install extra features to a vehicle that the manufacturer did not include when they sold it to the dealership. These are called dealer installed options and can include appearance or performance accessories, fabric protection, pin striping, and other modifications. The addendum on the window sticker will house this information.
A price between the invoice and MSRP is generally what most people can expect to pay for their new ride. Keep in mind that availability and demand also has an impact on the price. If a vehicle is in high demand and it’s hard to attain due to production delays, there is a possibility that you could pay higher than MSRP.
Lee Schubert strives to ensure that our customers have a concise understanding when it comes to the pricing and value of the vehicle that they have their eye on. Do you have a better grasp on these car pricing terms?
While driving at night or in inclement weather, it is very important to have clear headlights. Not being able to see while driving is unsafe for yourself and others, and I agree, this is common sense. Many people don’t even think about the fact that clear headlights could make their driving experience so much better, they don’t realize until someone points it out that they are dim.
The good news, is that you can restore dull, yellowed headlights on your used car or truck in Ohio by purchasing a restoration kit from your local auto store and following a few simple instructions. We found a easy to follow video that can show you how to put the brightness back in your headlights.
This particular video has several steps, so we also wanted to point out this nifty product we saw on one of those “As Seen on TV” commercials.
I would love to hear what tips you have or what products you’ve used. If you do purchase this one comment back and share your opinion. How do you restore the headlights on your used car in Ohio?
By now, we all recognize the sound of a car alarm. It is not uncommon to hear the loud sirens blaring in the middle of the night or howling during one of those fun thunder storms. Many of us ignore the sounds and keep sleeping. This is one of the reasons why we think it is so important that the car alarms of the 21st century do more than simply blast a siren into the night air.
Many car alarms, such as the Viper, Python and Prestige models, are a complete car security system. They are comprehensive alarms that will sound when there is any notable disturbance to your vehicle. After the alarm sounds, a detailed message is sent to your remote to alert you of the condition of your car. And rather than just having a siren, these car alarms have a feature called a starter-kill. This will allow you to stop your car’s engine and effectively prevent any attempts to steal your used car in Ohio. Doesn’t that sound great? These auto vehicle security systems have sensors throughout the car. Whether the door is opened, a window is broken or even if someone attempts to jack the car to take the tires, the alarm will sound and you will in turn be alerted immediately. The remotes have detailed messages and displays that show exactly what is happening to your car.
With so many different aftermarket alarms available, we determined that there are 3 things to look at while doing your comparison shopping. Features, Performance, Help & Support – are the key components.
We look for features like keyless entry, trunk release and starter-kill options. The remote start option is one of the most useful functions. How great would it be to turn the AC or heat on before you get in the car.
In regards to performance, check out reviews and do your homework so that you can ensure that what is advertised is an actuality for the product and make sure that it doesn’t take being a rocket scientist to use.
Last, consider any warranties, and whether or not it is simple to attain customer support for your system prior to purchasing. No one wants the headache of purchasing a product that doesn’t come with a sufficient support mechanism from the manufacturer.
With all the choices out there, tell us, what car alarm system do you have for your used car in Ohio, and are you satisfied?
This post is for the used car owners in Ohio who want to make sure they are prepared in the case that they find themselves with a dead battery. First and foremost, it makes sense to always keep jumper cables in the trunk of your car – just in case. Jumper cables are used to start a vehicle with a dead battery. The jumper cables are attached to the battery and a fully charged battery in another vehicle. This must be done correctly and in the right order to avoid sparks or a shock – the process can be more dangerous than most people think, and could damage your vehicle if done incorrectly. It is also important to disconnect the jumper cables in the right order. Once the vehicle with the dead battery is started, drive the vehicle to further charge the battery.
First you will need to determine whether you need jumper cables. If you turn the key and your vehicle makes a click, but won’t start, you will definitely need jumper cables. If the vehicle makes a starting noise and electrical devices such as your lights and radio work, then the battery may not be the problem; thus, jumper cables may not help in this situation.
Unravel the jumper cables so that they are straight and not touching. Note that each end has two clips: a red clip and a black clip.
Park the vehicle with the fully charged battery next to the vehicle with the dead battery. Make sure that the two batteries are close enough so that the jumper cables can reach. It is best to park the vehicles with the engines either facing each other or side by side. Raise both hoods completely to avoid accidents.
Attach one of the jumper cable red clips to the positive terminal of the dead battery. A “+” sign will indicate which terminal is positive. The positive terminal is also generally a little bit larger than the negative terminal. You may need to remove a plastic cover on the terminal to attach the red clip. The clip should be attached to the metal part of the terminal nub.
Attach the other red clip to the positive terminal of the fully charged battery. This will also be designated by a “+” sign and the positive terminal will be slightly larger. The clip should be attached to the metal part of the terminal nub.
Locate the black clip next to the red one you just attached to the fully charged battery. Attach this black clip to the negative terminal of the fully charged battery. This will be indicated by a “-” sign on the battery. The clip should be attached to the metal part of the terminal nub.
“Ground” the other black clip to the engine block of the car with the dead battery. You do this by clipping it to any piece of metal on the engine. Don’t panic if your jumper cables spark a little bit when you do this. If you aren’t touching any metal parts, you won’t be shocked.
Start the vehicle with the dead battery. It should start right up. If it doesn’t, check the connections on your jumper cables.
Disconnect the jumper cables in reverse order. Remove the black clip on your engine block first followed by the black clip on the charged battery and then the red clip next to it. Finally, remove the red clip on your battery.
There is more than one way to charge a battery, this is the most common. Make sure to read your owner’s manual in case there are some other steps you may need to take that are particular to your vehicle. At minimum, we hope this information will help Ohio used car driver’s to stay on the road.
So it’s time to buy a new used car in Ohio. With these tips, you can maximize your sale and get the best bang for you buck by increasing the resale or trade-in value of your current car. Whether you sell your car on your own, or trade it in at a dealership, you will want to prepare it in order to get the most money out of it.
Thoroughly Clean the Car
Wash your car paying close attention to detail to make sure you get all of the dirt off of it. Wash your windshield and all the other glass features, inside and out. There are several products on the market that will allow you to easily fill in all the small scratches – don’t miss this step.
Prepare the Car’s Tires and Wheel
Although this is part of cleaning, we wanted to make a separate section for tires and wheels. In order to get a crisp shiny look on your tire, you’ll want to pick out your favorite tire dressing and wipe it on really good. For wheels, take care to get into all those little slots and crevices very well. Get all that break dust off your wheels – or as much as you possibly can. You can actually spend about 5 minutes on them and make them look brand new.
Polish the Car’s Interior
Next apply a non-greasy conditioner to your dashboard and all the other vinyl components inside the car, including the console. If you have a leather interior, make sure to apply a good leather conditioner to all of the leather inside your car.
Check the Fluids
Pop the hood and check the fluid levels. Check the oil, the transmission fluid, the radiator coolant, the break fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Many people forget this piece when selling their car and it can truly make a difference.ew
Make Minor Repairs to the Used Car
Last, if there are some small, inexpensive repairs that you can do on your own, or have done, I strongly encourage you to do so. There is a saying in the car business that is a great rule of thumb: Spend 50 dollars and get 500 more.
This is a great guideline for preparing your used vehicle in Ohio before you attempt to sell it. The resale value will increase giving you more money towards your next vehicle choice. Are there any tips that we left out that you think are paramount?
Hi, I am Rob Mey and I am the general manager of Best Choice Automotive in Wellington, OH. I decided to start blogging so that everyone in Ohio and afar would have a place to come for the latest auto news and to learn more about their vehicles.
I love spending time with my son and my family. During the summer you can find me on a lake somewhere boating. Let me know what you think about my blog. Have any questions on your vehicle? Let me know. I am here to help!
By Rob Mey
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