Considerations for Financing a Used Car

If you are in the market for a used car that you plan to finance, you have likely determined a few features you are looking for in your new vehicle. Whether your new used car must have a certain size engine, be produced by a particular manufacturer or have an automatic transmission, you probably have some predetermined preferences in mind. With the excitement surrounding the prospect of cruising down the road in your new vehicle any day, do not neglect to find out some important details about financing through the used car dealer with whom you are doing business. Here we examine some simple questions you should ask a used car dealer up front regarding your loan:

-Will my loan be financed in house, or outsourced to a bank or other financial institution? The answer to this question will tell you whether the used car dealer is truly your lender. Dealers who outsource your loan to another entity are serving as a middle man on your loan, and probably charging you a premium for the service. If your loan is financed by a bank, there will likely be multiple inquiries made on your credit, which will negatively affect your credit score. Asking this simple question will also let you know with whom you will be dealing should any questions arise regarding your loan in the future.

-Do you report loans to a credit bureau monthly? Once you determine that your used car dealer will be handling your loan internally, make sure that your timely payments will be reported to a credit bureau. Financing a car is an excellent opportunity to improve your credit score, but that will only happen if the lender is reporting your loan status to a credit bureau.

-How much will my monthly payments be? Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure that your budget allows for the monthly payment amount associated with your loan. Ensuring that your monthly payment amount falls within your budget will prevent financial problems in the future, and allow you to take advantage of the credit boost associated with making your payments on time each month.

In addition to establishing a financing arrangement that will benefit you in the long term, make sure you are investing your hard earned money in a worthy vehicle by checking its background for past accidents, use as a rental car, flooding and other incidents by obtaining the CARFAX report. Reputable dealers will often take this step for you, providing the CARFAX report on any of their vehicles at no cost to you.

About the Author: Greg Chapman, of Greg Chapman Motors, is a leading used car dealer Austin has depended on since 1959. For more information please visit Greg Chapman Motors.

Explanation of Tire Sizing and Rating

Tires are a very important component of a vehicle, since their quality has a significant effect on performance and safety. Replacing old, worn tires with quality new ones can make your vehicle feel like a completely different car. You have probably noticed that new tires have a series of letters and numbers noted along the outside edge, the meanings of which we will examine here.
The easiest way to understand the specifications abbreviated on tires is by using an example. So, assume a tire is marked with the following set of numbers and letters:

P225/60R16 89V

First, the letter “P” denotes that this particular tire is designed for use on a passenger car. This portion may have the letters “LT” instead, for light truck, or may contain no letters at all.
The set of three numbers, 225, 60 and 16 refer to the tire’s size. The first number, 225, represents the width of the tire measured in millimeters, commonly called the “section width.” The second number, 60 in this example, is called the “aspect ratio” and represents the height of the sidewall expressed as a percentage of the section width. So here, the sidewall height equals 60% of 225 mm, or 135 mm. The third number represents the diameter of the wheel in inches, so the tire in our example fits a sixteen inch wheel. The letter “R” after the sidewall size means that this particular tire has radial construction.

The next specification, 89, represents the load index, a measure of the weight that a tire is rated to support. The load index is an important rating because as you can imagine, the load index for an eighteen wheeler would need to be much higher than that of a passenger car. A standard load index chart lists the supported weight corresponding with each load index value, with a load index of 89 supporting up to 1,279 pounds at maximum air pressure. The passenger car using this tire would have a maximum load capacity of 5,116 pounds, calculated by multiplying 1,279 pounds x 4 tires.

The letter following the load index rating represents the speed that the tire is rated to reach and maintain. Speed rating is an industry standard that specifies a series of letters to represent different maximum speeds for which tires are rated. The letter “V” specifies that the tire is rated for speeds up to 149 miles per hour. Using the tire size and ratings noted in your vehicle owner’s manual is a good rule of thumb to ensure that the tires you purchase are properly equipped for your vehicle.

About the Author: Greg Chapman, of Greg Chapman Motors, is a leading used car dealer Austin has depended on since 1959. For more information please visit Greg Chapman Motors.

Vehicle Inspections in Texas

Passing annual safety inspections is a requirement for any vehicle registered in the state of Texas in order to legally operate on the public roadways. In several counties, passing yearly emissions testing is required in addition to the standard safety inspection. If you own your first vehicle or have recently relocated to Texas, there are a few steps you must go through in order to become a legal Texas driver. First and foremost, you will not be able to obtain or renew a Texas driver’s license, obtain or renew your vehicle registration or get the required state inspection without showing a proof of at least liability insurance (unless you do not own a vehicle). A safety inspection will be required before you can register your vehicle if you have moved to Texas from out of state. Vehicle safety testing is required annually, and is performed by numerous certified auto repair establishments, car dealerships and service stations.

All Texas vehicles must pass an annual safety inspection, and many must additionally undergo emissions testing. The standard safety inspection checks for proper functionality of specified vehicle components such as the windshield wipers, brakes, horn, tires, wheels, seatbelts, turn signals and most lights, as well as others. Certain exemptions apply, for instance vehicles manufactured before seatbelts were installed in vehicles are exempt from that portion of the safety inspection.

In addition to the safety inspection, gasoline powered vehicles in designated counties must also have their emissions tested yearly for compliance. The method used to test emissions will vary depending on the county in which the car is registered and the model year of the vehicle. In Austin, for example, vehicles between two and twenty-four years old must be tested for emission compliance. Model years 1996 and newer undergo On Board Diagnostics-Second Generation (OBDII) testing, while model years 1995 and before are subject to what is known as Two Speed Idle (TSI) testing. All model year 1996 and newer vehicles are equipped with an OBDII system, which monitors the performance of various emissions related components of the vehicle. During state emissions testing, a scanning device is connected to the vehicle’s computer to retrieve stored data and detect problems. Older vehicles which are not equipped with OBDII technology typically undergo testing of the emissions directly from the tailpipe.

Variations exist in the vehicle safety and emissions testing requirements throughout the state, so it is important to comply with the policies set forth by your county of residence.

About the Author: Greg Chapman, of Greg Chapman Motors, is a leading used car dealer Austin has depended on since 1959. For more information please visit Greg Chapman Motors.

The Rise and Fall of Route 66

U.S. Route 66, though no longer an official U.S. highway, remains a coveted symbol of America’s history and culture. One of the first highways in the United States Numbered Highways system, Route 66 opened to traffic in the 1920s, establishing an unprecedented direct route along an over 2,400 mile stretch between Chicago Illinois and Los Angeles California. Though the highway was decommissioned in 1985, its spirit lives on through historic designations as well as numerous pop culture references in books, songs, television shows and movies. In The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck coined the phrase “The Mother Road” in reference to Route 66, a nickname for the highway that remains widely recognized today.

Route 66 played a valuable role in the development and growth of businesses and communities throughout the eight states along its course. Passing through many small towns, the route spurred the establishment of numerous family owned businesses such as restaurants and gas stations aimed at capitalizing on the increasing number of travelers along the highway. Such events as the Dust Bowl and World War II prompted the westerly migration of many Americans, increasing traffic on Route 66 and further contributing to its popularity. The route also saw increased traffic in later decades due to vacationers en route to Los Angeles as well as its accessibility to such attractions as the Grand Canyon and the Painted Desert located near the highway. Throughout the years, many businesses relied solely on patrons traveling along Route 66 for their sustainability, including Missouri’s Red’s Giant Hamburg, the first ever drive through restaurant.

As the techniques used in highway construction progressed, Route 66 underwent many major changes and realignments throughout its existence. Sections of the route were upgraded, with parts being converted to four lane highways. President Eisenhower’s extensive 1956 plan for building a massive network of interstates throughout the country marked a major contribution to the decline of Route 66. Despite business owner’s concerns and some organizations’ efforts to preserve the highway, portions Route 66 gradually began to be replaced by improved interstate routes in several states. In 1985, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials formally decertified Route 66 as part of the U.S. Highway System.

Portions of what remains of Route 66 have been converted to other state and local roads and loops, while other sections were simply abandoned. Several states have retained the highway’s original name in some form, such as designating parts of the former Route 66 as state highways or historic routes incorporating the number 66. Though the original Route 66 is no longer published on maps and can be difficult to navigate, much of its path can still be traveled by nostalgic adventure seekers.

About the Author: Greg Chapman, of Greg Chapman Motors, is a leading used car dealer Austin has depended on since 1959. For more information please visit Greg Chapman Motors.

U.S. Interstate System – A Brief History

Today in the United States, traveling a considerable distance by automobile often involves traveling along a portion of at least one interstate. Direct, multi-lane routes, high speed limits and the absence of stop signs and red lights make interstate travel a convenient and efficient means of getting from point A to point B. Drivers have the opportunity to travel along convenient, controlled access interstates for short commutes to work or for road trips from coast to coast. But the availability of such strategically designed public interstate routes has not always been the case in the U.S.

Multiple attempts to establish a nationwide roadway system took place long before construction began on the interstate system to which we are accustomed today. In the 1930s, under the direction of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and with the support of Congress, the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1938 was introduced. The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1938 engaged the Bureau of Public Roads (BPR) to analyze the viability of constructing a network of six major toll funded highways, with three running east and west and the other three north and south. The study concluded that the expense of the proposed project would be too immense to be toll funded.

President Roosevelt created the National Interregional Highway Committee in 1941 to again assess the need for a national highway system. As a result of the committee’s findings, which are included in their report titled Interregional Highways, Congress passed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944. The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944 designated a “National System of Interstate Highways,” which would be focused heavily on national defense and would directly link major cities and provide for appropriate route connections to Mexico and Canada. But the lack of appropriated funding for the project delayed progress.

Having traveled with the Army on the original motor convoy across the United States and observed the advantages Germany received from its autobahn network during World War II, President Dwight D. Eisenhower had a firsthand understanding of the significance of a national highway system when he took office in 1953. Though inadequate funding had previously been allotted for the interstate system, the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 dedicated sufficient funding for the project, with the Federal Government being responsible for 90 percent of the expense. The legislation also provided for major improvements in the plan, such as nationwide standards for the number of lanes, lane width, shoulder specifications and design speed capabilities. The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 propelled the development of the interstate project and its ultimate completion.

The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways has not only established a link among U.S. cities and neighboring countries, but has propagated immeasurable progress for the United States economy by facilitating safe, efficient transportation of personnel and goods.

About the Author: Greg Chapman, of Greg Chapman Motors, is a leading used car dealer Austin has depended on since 1959. For more information please visit Greg Chapman Motors.

Dealing with Used Motor Oil

To automobiles, motor oil is essential for proper engine performance, as is replacing it on a regular basis. To the plants and animals with which we share our natural environment, motor oil can be damaging and even deadly. Oil that is improperly discarded in trash cans, storm drains and on the ground does not readily break down and can cause irreversible harm to the environment. Even relatively small amounts of used motor oil can contaminate millions of gallons of fresh water on which humans, plants and animals rely for daily life and survival.

Additionally, contamination caused by the disposal of used motor oil on the ground can render soil unable to support plant life for decades. Fortunately, many local governments as well as private entities such as auto repair businesses, car dealerships and automobile parts stores accept used motor oil from consumers for recycling. Still, consumers who are unaware of or unwilling to comply with safe motor oil disposal methods are releasing millions of gallons of contaminants into the environment, creating pollution that could easily have been prevented.

Companies which accumulate large quantities of used motor oil as a byproduct of doing business, such as oil change service stations, must comply with laws regulating their methods of handling motor oil. If you are like many people and change your vehicle’s motor oil yourself, utilize online resources, consult the local phone book and obtain personal referrals to determine the most convenient means of recycling used motor oil in your area. Often, oil change stations and automotive stores will accept your used motor oil for recycling. Some communities even provide convenient road side collection of motor oil for recycling. Regardless of the method you choose in recycling used oil, ensure that you are collecting used oil in an appropriate container with a secure lid which has not been used to store other household chemicals. Also, inquire about the proper means of collecting the oil that has accumulated in your oil filter, which may also be recycled.

Besides carrying significant environmental benefits, recycling used motor oil conserves the world’s precious natural resources and saves energy and money. Used motor oil can be recycled and reprocessed into a valuable, usable substance with the ability to provide electricity and heat energy for places such as power plants and other manufacturing facilities. The utilization of reconditioned motor oil for energy reduces the demand for petroleum from the world’s limited reserves and affords an economical, renewable source of energy.

About the Author: Greg Chapman, of Greg Chapman Motors, is a leading used car dealer Austin has depended on since 1959. For more information please visit Greg Chapman Motors.