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What is the Quarter Tire Test? Eventually, every driver needs to get their tires replaced. While some drivers will need replacements due to old tire age, the majority of drivers will need to make sure their tires are still safe to drive by frequently checking their tire tread. Luckily, you don’t need a mechanic to tell you whether or not you are low on tread. Learn how to check your tire tread with a quarter here at OKCarz! Quarter Test You may have heard of the good old penny test. While the premise is the same, the penny test is outdated and isn’t very accurate due to the coin’s tiny size. To ensure that your tire tread is still at a safe level, it’s highly recommended that you do the quarter test instead. If you don’t know how to do this easy test, follow the instructions below.   To begin, find a quarter and go to the tire you wish to check. Face Washington’s head towards you and insert it into the tread so that his head is upside down. From the edge of the coin to the president’s head is 1/8 th of an inch, which is considered the minimum amount of tread you need for your tire. If you can see the top of the head, you will need new tires right away. If his head is still covered, you got some time yet. However, if the tread is getting close to the top of his head, you should consider shopping for new tires soon. Repeat this process for all four of your tires so you know which tires, if any, need replacing. Of course, if you don’t drive frequently, make sure to always replace your tires every five years or less as the rubber will lose its elasticity over time. It’s recommended that you keep receipts of your tire purchases so you can track when you bought your tires last.   Make sure to follow the OKCarz blog for more automotive tips and tricks! If you need a reliable vehicle at a price you can afford, explore our current inventory online. Sharing is caring! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest More from OkCarz How to Improve the Lifespan of Your Brakes What Do I Need to Replace a Flat Tire on My Car? How to Properly Maintain Your Car Battery What are the Signs of a Failing Transmission? < Previous post Next post >

Budget-Friendly Autumn Activities to Do with the Family in 2020 This Autumn is going to look a bit different this year. While many attractions may have closed due to the current health crisis, there are still plenty of fun activities to do at home during fall. Here are a few suggestions you should consider that are budget-friendly. Carve Jack-o-Lanterns Roast pumpkin seeds Make your favorite Autumn treats, like pumpkin pie or apple cider Decorate the house for Halloween Host a family picnic outside in the backyard Watch some family-friendly Halloween movies, such as Hocus Pocus, Scooby-Doo, or Casper Sharing is caring! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest More from OkCarz Which Haunted Houses are Open in Florida in 2020? Where to Take the Kids to Buy Pumpkins in Florida What Can I Do for Labor Day 2020 with the Family? Local Restaurants Open in Tampa for Delivery, Take-Out or Dine-In < Previous post Next post >

Sunroof vs Moonroof Comparison As you browse recent models, you’ve probably come across something interesting. Some vehicles offer a sunroof while others offer a moonroof. They sound about the same – an open panel in the roof of the vehicle to let light or air inside. However, did you know that there’s actually a difference between a sunroof and a moonroof? Continue reading to learn just how different these two similar features really are. How is a Sunroof Different from a Moonroof? While both the sunroof and the moonroof are very similar, it’s important to not confuse the two when deciding on a vehicle that offers one instead of the other. Ultimately, it depends on what materials were used to make the feature as well as how it opens. rnrnrnrn A sunroof is a panel that matches the body of the vehicle and is not transparent. The sunroof can be removed or tilted open to allow air and light inside. For some models, the panel may retract into or above the roof.   Rather than a metal panel, the moonroof is made of glass. This feature cannot be removed from the vehicle but can slide or tilt open for fresh air and light. Inside the cabin, moonroofs will typically have an interior sliding panel that matches your car’s interior color. This allows passengers to block light as desired as nothing will cover the glass from the outside. The moonroof is also the more common feature as modern models tend to over it over the less popular sunroof. Whether you favor one feature over the other, our team at OKCarz will help you find the right vehicle at a price you can afford. Contact us online to connect with a team member and we will be happy to help you in your search. Sharing is caring! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest More from OkCarz What is the Debt Snowball Method? When Should I Buy a Different Vehicle? Why Should I Buy a Used Car Over a Brand New One? How to Help Your Child Learn to Drive < Previous post Next post >

Signs That You Should Consider Upgrading Your Car Have you been driving an older car for a long time? Are you wondering if it’s time to buy a different vehicle? Your car won’t last forever, even if you take care of it very well. Here are a few common signs to watch for. Your Vehicle is Unsafe to Drive First and foremost, you should always feel safe inside your car. This includes having a functioning engine, transmission, airbags, seatbelts, etc. If you feel your vehicle is unsafe to drive, you should get it checked out by your mechanic. Depending on what they find, you can then decide to either pay for the repairs or invest in a newer model.   rn You are Spending More on Repairs Than the Vehicle is Worth rnrnrnrn Another thing to watch for is the cost of maintenance. Now, let’s say the mechanic tells you that it will cost $3,000 to repair your vehicle. Hearing this, let’s assume you know that your car is worth $2,000. In this case, it wouldn’t make sense to make that repair. Instead, you should look into trading in your current model and use that money as a down payment for a newer and more reliable vehicle. Your Car No Longer Suits Your Lifestyle In many cases, drivers upgrade their car not because it’s getting too expensive to maintain or it’s unsafe, but rather due to an evolving lifestyle. Maybe your small car will no longer hold your growing family. Perhaps you wish to do some off-roading, but your current model isn’t built with four-wheel drive. Maybe you need significant towing or hauling power and your vehicle either can’t tow or isn’t able to tow the amount of weight you require. If owning your current model isn’t adequate for your changing needs, it’s time to consider a different vehicle. You Can Afford the Upgrade Finally, you should consider upgrading your vehicle if you can afford it. Of course, this isn’t always the case as some unexpected incidents can occur, such as the engine breaking down or getting into a car accident. Whether you are prepared to make the upgrade or are in need of a replacement, you can get the financing you need here at OKCarz. Regardless of your credit score, you can find a reliable vehicle that fits your requirements and budget with us. Contact us and we will help get you started. Sharing is caring! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest More from OkCarz What is the Debt Snowball Method? What’s the Difference Between a Sunroof and a Moonroof? Why Should I Buy a Used Car Over a Brand New One? How to Help Your Child Learn to Drive < Previous post Next post >

Tips for Potentially Increasing the Value of Your Current Vehicle Are you ready to get behind the wheel of a different vehicle? If you already own a car, chances are, you’re planning on trading it in to lower your payments on the next model. Of course, there are multiple factors that will determine just how much your car is worth, such as year, make, model, mileage, and condition. So, what can you do to ensure that you are receiving the best price for your vehicle? Here’s how you can maximize the trade-in value of your car. Research Your Current Trade-In Value First, you should get an idea on where your vehicle currently sits regarding value. Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds are popular tools to calculate current market prices for certain models at its current mileage and condition. These estimates will aid you in negotiating a deal as well as determine if certain repairs are worth the cost. Detail and Repair Your Vehicle An easy way to make your car look good is to make sure it looks as clean as possible. Give your car a good wash and vacuum the interior. Before you go to a dealer to receive a quote, you should also remove personal belongings.   You should also consider various repairs. Recall repairs should always be done before getting a quote from a dealer as these repairs are free and could lower your trade-in value if the dealership must do the work. Additionally, while you don’t need to give your vehicle a complete makeover, making it look as good as reasonably possible will help you increase your trade-in value. For instance, if your car is missing paint, get a quote on the cost of this repair. If the potential savings outweigh the cost, it makes sense to get it repaired. Even cheap repairs for scratches and small dents can potentially save you hundreds of dollars. Just remember to not invest too much into your trade-in as no used vehicle is perfect and you may accidentally overpay on repairs.   Are you looking for a reliable vehicle at a great price? Explore our current pre-owned vehicle inventory here at OKCarz. Interested in one of our models? Curious to know how much we will buy your car for? Contact us and we will provide the information you need. Sharing is caring! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest More from OkCarz What is the Debt Snowball Method? How to Improve the Lifespan of Your Brakes What Do I Need to Replace a Flat Tire on My Car? How to Check Your Tire Tread with a Quarter < Previous post Next post >

List of Tools Needed to Change a Flat Tire Noticed that one of your tires have gone flat while driving? Heading out to help a friend with their flat tires and gathering the supplies? See what tools you need to replace a flat tire on a car with our list below. Spare tire Carjack Lug wrench Reflective triangles (to alert other drivers if changing on the side of the road) Tire pressure gauge (to check the tire pressure of your spare) Work gloves (not necessary but recommended) Owner’s manual Sharing is caring! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest More from OkCarz How to Improve the Lifespan of Your Brakes How to Check Your Tire Tread with a Quarter How to Properly Maintain Your Car Battery What are the Signs of a Failing Transmission? < Previous post Next post >

Signs of a Bad Power Steering Pump Have you been noticing some weird things when you turn your steering wheel? Are you hearing strange noises? It’s possible that your car is trying to tell you to get your power steering pump checked out. Here’s how you can tell if your power steering pump is failing. Whining Noises When You Turn the Steering Wheel Whenever you turn the steering wheel, listen for a whining noise. If you hear one, either your power steering fluid is low or there is something wrong with your power steering pump. Slow or Stiff Steering Wheel When the power steering pump starts to fail, you may notice that the steering wheel is slow to respond or is very stiff. This makes turning very hard to do and will certainly cause problems for you as you drive. If this happens, you should get a mechanic to inspect it immediately as you should never have to fight your car for it to turn properly. Squealing or Groaning Noises In addition to whining when turning, listen for any squealing. Squealing when starting the engine could indicate a failing power steering pump. Groaning is the most severe noise to hear as the pump is likely going to damage itself and will continue to get worse and worse. If you suspect a failing power steering pump, it’s highly recommended that you get it checked out as soon as possible to avoid any larger repair bills and hassle later. Also, check out the OKCarz blog for more vehicle care tips. Sharing is caring! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest More from OkCarz How to Improve the Lifespan of Your Brakes What Do I Need to Replace a Flat Tire on My Car? How to Check Your Tire Tread with a Quarter How to Properly Maintain Your Car Battery < Previous post Next post >

Ways to Maximize the Life of Car Brakes Like oil and tires, the health of your brakes in your car needs to be a high priority. Every time you take a drive, you count on your brakes to bring you to a stop when you need it. Of course, brakes aren’t cheap to repair, so it’s best to take good care of them to make sure they last you a long time. Here’s how you can improve the lifespan of your brakes. Coast to Slow Down Did you know that changing your driving habits is the best way to ensure that your brakes will last a long time? When driving, you should already be planning ahead on your next movements. If not, you likely find yourself slamming the brakes right before stop signs or traffic lights. Instead, lift your foot off the gas pedal when you see brake lights ahead or the traffic lights turn yellow while you still have plenty of space to stop before you apply the brakes. Not only will coasting to slow down help protect your brakes, but it will improve your safety as the risk of colliding with another vehicle drops dramatically. Be Gentle with Your Brakes Unless Necessary Along with coasting to slow down, you should gradually apply the brakes. In other words, apply light braking as you slow down and increase it as the vehicle slows. Basically, you should be reserving hard braking for situations in which you really need it. Replace Your Brakes as Needed Even with defensive driving, your brakes will need to get replaced eventually. Have your local mechanic check your brakes whenever you get your vehicle serviced and replace your brakes as needed. This will ensure that you have full stopping power if you must suddenly apply your brakes. Are you searching for more ways to take proper care of your vehicle? Explore the OKCarz for more maintenance tips. Sharing is caring! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest More from OkCarz What Do I Need to Replace a Flat Tire on My Car? How to Check Your Tire Tread with a Quarter How to Properly Maintain Your Car Battery What are the Signs of a Failing Transmission? < Previous post Next post >