Browse our handpicked selection of vehicles that currently carry a very favorable book value in relation to where they are priced.
If you are looking for a vehicle that could help relieve some negative equity pain in your current vehicle, these selections could help get you on your way.
Maybe you just want to make a great buy and purchase a vehicle priced well under current book value. Taylor's AutoMax is here to help! Click here!
Sincerely,
Your Taylor's Auto Max Team
As a new year approaches and 2021 winds down to an end, now is the perfect time to begin planning those annual New Year Resolutions before the countdown begins. While making a resolution or two for yourself can be a great way to make improvements in your life, making a few resolutions for your vehicle can also help to improve the life of your car. The beginning of a new year is also a great time to check off some of the annual and bi-annual checklists your vehicle requires to run efficiently. Here are some great New Year Resolutions your car will appreciate:
Perform a General Maintenance Check and Make a Plan for Regular Maintenance
It goes without saying, the better you take care of your vehicle, the longer the lifespan of your car. The beginning of a new year is a great time to have your vehicle inspected by a trained mechanic, and to replace any old or dirty parts, to check and refill important fluids, and make sure your car is ready for the travels you’ll have in the next year. Neglecting to keep up with maintenance on your car can cause bigger problems to arise, and they usually aren’t cheap. So, if you may have slipped on keeping your vehicle regularly maintained this past year, the first phone call you should make in 2022 should be to your local mechanic!
The most important things to check on your vehicle are oil changes, tire care, brake pads, and your car’s air filter.
Changing your oil regularly is important because it keeps your car’s engine properly lubricated. The longer you wait to change your oil the more it corrodes. When your oil starts to go bad it can no longer effectively lubricate your engine – resulting in more car problems. Check your owner’s manual to see how often your need to change your oil, and keep in mind that the older your car gets, the more oil changes it will need.
Checking your tires regularly is also extremely important, because it’s the only thing between the pavement and your vehicle, and they can be the determining factor in whether your car stays on the road, or ends up somewhere it shouldn’t be. You should keep up with tire rotations and alignments, and continuously check that your tire pressure is where it should be. The pressure in your tires is vital to your tire’s longevity, and you and your passengers’ safety. Low tire pressure can be dangerous at high speeds as they are more prone to blowouts, especially at high speeds. Tire pressure can change with the outdoor temperatures they are exposed to, so it’s a great idea to learn how to use a tire pressure gauge, and to check the pressure in your tires often. The tread on your tires is also extremely important to their effectiveness on the road, and should be checked when the tire pressure is checked. Simply place a penny upside down in the grooves of the tire tread, and if you can see the top of Abraham Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace your tires.
Maintaining your brake pads is an easy new year’s resolution to complete as it’s typical to have them replaced only once a year. However, it’s a very important part of your car to maintain, so don’t forget this one. They experience a lot of friction as your brake while driving, and these pads are the only thing that keep your braking mechanisms and rotor from grinding together. Over the year they can become thin, causing serious damage. And if your brake pads wear out it could be detrimental to you and the drivers around you.
Replacing your air filter is an easy part of car maintenance to knock out while you’re getting your oil changed because they usually need to be changed around the same time. The air filter filters the air that your engine takes in. Over time it becomes clogged, decreasing the fuel economy by making your engine work twice as hard.
The other fluids in your vehicle also need to be inspected often, including:
-Motor Oil: check monthly.
-Transmission Fluid: check monthly.
-Coolant (Antifreeze): check twice a year.
-Brake Fluid: check every time you change your oil.
-Power Steering Fluid: check monthly.
-Windshield Wiper Fluid: check monthly.
Set calendar reminders on your phone and make notes of levels. Replacement schedules vary by car, so double check your owner’s manual rather than relying on what your mechanic has to say.
Practice Better Driving Habits
After years behind the wheel, it can be easy to become overly comfortable while driving. Many drivers let daily distractions take their attention away from the road, and unfortunately an average of 9 people are killed by distracted driving every day. Most people think that distracted driving means texting and driving but it actually refers to anything that can take your full attention away from the road. According to the DMV, there are many things that can cause distracted driving such as:
– Reaching for something
– Changing the music
– Using an app
– Checking your GPS or map
– Taking a photo
– Checking email or posting to social media
– Eating and drinking
– Putting on makeup/grooming
Find a good, safe place to keep your phone so it’s away from causing any distractions, and pull off the road to make any phone calls, check a map, or eat a meal. Making wise choices like these can help protect you and others on the road from a very easily preventable accident.
While making a plan to become a more attentive and focused driver, consider adjusting your attitude when getting behind the wheel every day. It can be very easy to become frustrated while driving, especially with traffic jams, road construction, and less-than-ideal drivers in other vehicles on the road. However, becoming flustered and giving into road rage can lead to accidents. Make it a New Years Resolution to be more patient with the people you share the road with.
Everyone has somewhere they need to be and sometimes we just have to accept the fact that not every driver drives like they should. If you can let that roll off your back while driving, you’ll find your commutes less stressful and safer.
A helpful tip to accomplish this: leave 10 to 15 minutes early for your destination so you can allow for traffic, construction, and novice drivers.
Get Rid of Excess Weight
Thankfully, your car doesn’t need to go to the gym to shed a few pounds. If you find that you’re spending more than you used to at the pump, it’s entirely possible that you’re carrying too much excess weight.
Go through your vehicle and get rid of anything that isn’t essential. Shedding unnecessary weight can help improve fuel efficiency.
Keep Your Car Clean
While you empty the unnecessary contents of your vehicle, take some time to really clean out every nook and crack in your car as well. For some drivers, keeping your car clean comes naturally, but it can be a daily challenge for others. If your car is a mess going into the new year, learn how to declutter your car and prevent future clutter.
First, remove everything from your car that you do not need. Be frugal here! Do you really need that book you’ve been meaning to read the past few months or those three extra jackets taking up space?
Second, organize those important papers in your car and get rid of the papers you don’t need. Throw out old receipts, coupons, and other miscellaneous papers. Then find the important documents like your registration, insurance, and owner’s manual and put them in a safe spot.
Third, give your car a deep clean after you’ve decluttered it. Vacuum the seats and floor, wipe down windows, and take it through a car wash.
Lastly, one of the most helpful things you can do is prevent the mess. Keep a small trash can in your car, plug the “black hole” between your seats, and make for easy clean up in your cup holders.
Pay Off the Rest of Your Loan
If you’re still making payments on your car, it’s time to pay off the remaining principal so you officially own it and aren’t paying any extra on interest. Make a plan to save your money, and pay off as much as your can on your car loan. Making larger payments and paying them ahead of schedule will not only help save you money in the long run, but it will also boost your credit score!
Connect with us
