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Tips for Driving a Christmas Tree Home
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With December here, now is the time to get into the Christmas spirit with a Christmas tree. If you are the type that likes real trees, then you will need a way to safely get that tree from the farm to your house. Here are some tips to safely transport a Christmas tree with your car.
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[ READ MORE: Give Back to the Community this Holiday Season ]
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Tips for Transporting a Tree Inside a Vehicle
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Putting the tree inside is safest and easiest. If you have an SUV, put the seats down to make room. If you own a truck, secure the tree inside your truck bed.
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Before loading your tree inside, lay blankets or sheets to keep the needles from scratching your interior. If you are hauling the tree in a truck bed, lay a blanket underneath as well. While truck beds are sturdy to withstand plenty of weight, there are hot areas like the exhaust pipe that can damage the needles.
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Tips for Transporting a Tree on the Roof of a Car
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If your tree is too big to load inside your vehicle, the other option you have is to load it on the roof of your car. Since the tree can become loose, this option is doable but must be handled more cautiously. If you decide to take this approach, make sure you have a vehicle with roof rails and come prepared with plenty of rope or cord. If you don’t have roof rails, consider other options as putting the tree on top will be too dangerous.
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Before you leave the lot with your tree, you should get your tree netted so you can handle it easier. Place a tarp or blankets under the tree to prevent scratches on the paint of your car. Place the tree on the top with the trunk facing forward. Secure it tightly with plenty of rope around the top, middle, and bottom of the tree. Tie it snugly to the roof rails on top of your vehicle. Give the tree a good tug to make sure it is secure before leaving. Lastly, drive slowly and avoid highways as the extra weight will make emergency maneuvers trickier.
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For more useful information, follow our blog! If you are looking for a used car that can carry a Christmas tree, contact us here at OkCarz for help finding the vehicle right for you.
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Used Jeep Cherokee Safety Features and Technology
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The Jeep Cherokee is famous for being one of the most adventurous crossover SUVs available for families and nature lovers. In addition to its strong capabilities and quality interior that you would expect out of a Jeep Cherokee, this vehicle offers a large diversity of safety features and technologies to protect you on and off the road. So, how safe is the pre-owned Jeep Cherokee? Let’s explore many advanced safety features you may find in your next crossover SUV.
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[ Explore Pre-Owned Jeep Cherokee Models in Florida ]
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Driver Assistive and Parking Safety Features
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While you are on the road, you may find plenty of driver assistive safety features working in the background to help prevent accidents from occurring. For instance, the blind spot monitor detects other vehicles in your blind spots, so you don’t accidentally hit someone next to you. If you are drifting, LaneSense® lane departure warning alerts you that you are driving too close to the lane markers and can even adjust your course to get you back on track. Another example you may find in a used Jeep Cherokee is the Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking. If you are approaching a vehicle too quickly where an accident could happen, this system alerts you and brakes for you if you don’t react quickly enough.rn
Several safety features are also designed to make parking in tight spaces much easier. Features such as the ParkSense® Rear Park Assist with Stop, ParkView® Rear Back Up Camera, and Parallel & Perpendicular Park Assist with Full Stop may be included with your used Jeep Cherokee.
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Convenient Safety Features
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Many other luxurious and convenient safety features are offered in many Jeep Cherokee models. These can include rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, Keyless Enter ‘N Go™, and much more.
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As we mentioned before, the availability of these features depends on the Jeep Cherokee model you choose. To learn more about the Cherokee vehicles we have in our lot, reach out to us here at OkCarz. Interested to continue browsing? Visit the OkCarz blog where we cover a large variety of models and everything automotive!
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How to Build Credit by Purchasing a Vehicle
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Can Buying a Car Improve Your Credit?
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A major concern for car buyers is their credit score. Will Irnbe accepted for a car loan? Can purchasing a vehicle improve my credit? Therngood news is that you can build your credit by buying a car. Here’s how yournshould do it.
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[ READ MORE: Tips to QuicklyrnBuild Credit ]
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Paying Off a Car Loan
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The best way to build credit with a car purchase is to takernout a car loan and continue making payments. As you pay on time over a longrnperiod of time, like three years, you will prove that you are responsible withrnyour money and your credit score will see an improvement.
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However, you will need to be careful. While car loans canrnhelp buyers improve their credit, this can hurt your credit if you are late onrnpayments. Bottomline, you should only take out a car loan if you are fullyrnprepared to pay the agreed amount plus interest on time.
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Apply for a Car Loan at OkCarz
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Finding the right car loan to start building credit is difficultrnwhen you have bad credit to begin with. Here at OkCarz, we provide car loans tornbuyers with a variety of financial situations, including those with norncredit or bad credit. If you need an affordable and reliable car and want tornimprove your credit score, consider contactingrnour team at OkCarz. We will help you find the loan that is right for your financialrnbackground.
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Need a car loan? Aren’t sure what your credit score is? Fill out this online form for pre-approval right at home! Once you get pre-approved, stop by OkCarz to check out our vast variety of used vehicles to choose from.
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Recommended Ways to Use Your Tax Return
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How Should I Spend My Tax Refund?
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After you file your taxes, you may receive a big tax return inrnthe mail or through direct deposit. For some, that may raise some questions.rnHow should I spend my tax refund? How much of it should I save? Here are some recommendedrnways to use your tax return.
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[ READ MORE: Wherernto Get a Used Car Loan in Central Florida ]
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Pay off Necessities
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Are you financially struggling this month? The first thingrnthat should be addressed are your basic necessities. This includes any rent,rnmortgage, food, electricity, water, and phone bills you may have fallen behindrnon. By taking care of this debt, you will rest easy knowing that you and yourrnfamily are taken care of. Remember, necessities do not include any wants likerngame consoles and vacations.
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Put Some in Savings or in an Emergency Fund
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Knowing you have a safety net if something unexpectedrnhappens will surely reduce your financial stress. If you don’t already have anrnemergency fund, it’s a good idea to start one. Afterall, you never know whenrnyou’ll need car repairs, end up in the hospital, or even lose your job.
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If you have an emergency fund and it’s looking healthy,rnconsider putting some of your tax return into your savings account or towardsrnretirement. The more you contribute to these accounts early on, the better offrnyou’ll be later.
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Use as a Down Payment for a Different Car
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One of the best times of the year to purchase a vehicle is taxrnseason. Why is this? Saving for a down payment for a vehicle is a stressful andrntime-consuming task for many car buyers. Many shoppers will consider their taxrnreturn as their down payment. Therefore, all that’s left is budgeting for thernmonthly payments.
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[ Get Pre-Approved for a Used CarrnLoan ]
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Of course, you should always take care of your needs first. Ifrnyou need a reliable vehicle to get around for work and running errands, check out our large selection ofrnused vehicles. Found one that may be a good match? Let us know which onernand we will provide more details and help you take it for a test drive. Is thernvehicle right for you? Talk with us about your financial situation and we willrnoffer financing that is affordable to you.
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Auto Loans for Students with No Credit
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Students must overcome extra hurdles when shopping for arncar. With little to no credit and inconsistent income, it is hard for a studentrnto purchase a reliable vehicle. However, not all hope is lost. Learn where arnhigh school or college student can get a car loan in Central Florida.
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[ READ MORE: Howrnto Find a Good Deal on Car Insurance as a Teen Driver ]
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Get a Student Car Loan at OkCarz
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Here at OkCarz, we cater to a large variety of car buyers,rnincluding low-income students. Whether you are an active student in high schoolrnor college, or just graduated and starting your next chapter of life, we wantrnto make your car shopping easier. Even if you have no credit, we will be happyrnto offer you a loan that fits your budget.
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To get approved for a car loan, simply fill out this onlinernpre-approval with your information such as your name, address, and contactrninfo. Don’t worry; we don’t ask for a social security number. After you get thernform filled out, confirm the information you entered and submit it. You’ll seernyour credit score, how your credit compares to other borrowers across the U.S.,rnand the maximum loan amount you can qualify for. What’s the catch? There isrnnone! This process is completely free and won’t impact your credit score.
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[ READ MORE: Howrnto Build Credit by Buying a Vehicle ]
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Ready to make the commitment and purchase a vehicle? Need helprndetermining a budget? Contact usrnand make OkCarz your go-to used car dealership. We’re always happy to help customersrnfind an affordable payment plan that fits their unique lifestyle.
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Used Chevy Malibu Safety Features
When you shop for a used vehicle, prioritize the safety features that are offered. Many pre-owned Chevrolet Malibu models offer innovative safety technology features that can both reduce the chance for a collision and minimize injury after an accident, making this sedan a great option for those concerned about their safety on the road.
[ Shop for a used Chevrolet Malibu in Florida ]
Safety Technology that Prevents Accidents
Having various safety technologies that prevent accidents isrnessential to a safe vehicle. The goal of these types of features is to keep yournfrom getting into an accident so you won’t have to worry about getting hurt onrnthe road.
To reinforce this goal, the used Chevy Malibu offers plentyrnof preventive and driver-assistive safety features. Features that you may find inrna used Malibu include Forward Collision Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, RearrnCross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Alert and Side Zone Alert, and more.
[ READ MORE: UsedrnChevy Malibu Technology and Comfort Features ]
Safety Features that Protect in the Event of a Crash
Perhaps the preventive features just weren’t enough, orrnanother driver is the cause of the crash. You need safety features that act asrna backup plan if you do get into an accident. For example, Front Pedestrian Brakingrnwill automatically apply the brakes to reduce injury to the person or avoid thernaccident altogether. Another example is Automatic Emergency Braking. If you arerngoing to crash into the vehicle in front of you, this system will automaticallyrnapply the brakes. Other standard features you can find in the Chevy Maliburninclude an advanced airbag system, LATCH, and the Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
Of course, safety features in the Chevy Malibu will vary by the year and trim. If you are interested in one of our many used Malibu models, ask our team about the safety features included. Not sure if the Chevy Malibu is right for you? Schedule a test drive with us here at OkCarz so you can experience everything that the Malibu offers.
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What Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover?
How to Keep Yourself from Driving While Distracted
Safety Tips for Drivers Sharing the Road with Motorcycles
How Do You Know When You Have a Bad Car Battery?
Signs that Your Car Battery is Dying
If you are in a hurry to leave the house, the last thing you will want is a vehicle that doesn’t start up. Did something happen to the engine? Is the gas tank empty? Usually, the reason for a car not starting up is a dead battery. How do you know when you have a bad car battery? Here are some signs to watch for if you suspect that your battery is dying.
[ READ MORE: Whenrnto Replace the Brakes in Your Car ]
The Engine is Slow to Start
One of the main concerns surrounding the health of a car battery is a slow-starting engine. The purpose of the battery is to power the engine and your accessories like the radio and air conditioning. When the battery is running low on power, it will have a hard time powering all of these components. If you notice that your car is taking longer than usual to start up, then it’s time for a new battery.
Electrical Problems and Dim Headlights
Just like the issue with the slow-starting engine, thernbattery could be having a hard time powering all of the electric components. Yournmay notice that your headlights are dimmer than usual with a bad battery.
Connectors have Corrosion
Even if your battery is charged, it needs to be able to send the power to the engine. If you notice a white substance on the metal connectors on your battery, then corrosion is preventing your battery from working properly.
The Battery is Old
Even if you take proper care of your battery, it will give out eventually. Typically, car batteries can last anywhere from two to five years depending on the climate that you are living in and whether you leave the lights on or your phone plugged in.
[ READ MORE: How to Tell Your Car Tires Are Going Bad ]
Are you suspecting that your car battery is dead? We recommend taking it in to a mechanic to get it tested. If it’s dead, you’ll need a replacement as your battery will no longer charge.
Did you find this post helpful? Follow the OkCarz blog for more tips and tricks like this!
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What Do I Need to Replace a Flat Tire on My Car?
When to get your tires rotated
Your vehicle’s tires should be rotated every six months or whenrnyou hit 6,000 to 8,000 miles, whichever happens first. Although you may onlyrnneed to get your tires rotated every few months, there are times when you mayrnneed to do it sooner. There are three signs to look out for to determine ifrnyour tires need to be rotated. Unevenrnwear on tires happens when more weight in placed on the front tires causingrnfaster wear. Vehicle vibration happens at speeds of 45 mph and higher, however,rnthis can also be a sign of tire imbalance. Tire pressure loss happens whenrnthere is too much pressure on a tire leading to losing pressure faster than thernothers.
[Read more: How Do You Know When You Have a Bad Car Battery?]
What can happen if you don’t get your tiresrnrotated
If you don’t get your tires rotated, you are putting yourselfrnand your passengers into danger. Uneven tire wear can lead to your vehiclernpulling or wandering to the side. Uneven wear can also lead to less tractionrnbetween your tires and the road. The cornering limit will also be greatlyrnreduced leading to poor handling when going around a curve. Although notrndangerous, if you don’t get your tires rotated regularly, you’ll have tornreplace your tires sooner than necessary. This can lead to you spending morernmoney than if you get your tires rotated.
More tips and tricks
If you liked this post, keep checking out our blog for more tipsrnand tricks to keep your vehicle in its best shape. We like to keep our customersrninformed on how to take care of their vehicle.
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How to Improve the Lifespan of Your Brakes
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How to Check Your Tire Tread with a Quarter
How to Properly Maintain Your Car Battery
How to build credit quickly?
Surefire Tips for Building Great Credit Fast
Having bad credit sucks. And a lot of the time, it’s not necessarily your fault. Credit fraud can destroy your credit, for instance. People who haven’t had a lot of debt or haven’t taken out loans also won’t have much credit history, resulting in a pretty poor credit score.
Don’t worry, it’s possible to build up good credit quickly.
Here’s how to build credit quickly.
How to Build Credit Quickly
There are some easy ways to build great credit in a no time:
Pay-off your credit card at the end of eachrnmonth
- Get secured credit cards with higher limits
- Don’t miss payments on cards or loans
- Fewer credit cards = better credit score
- Only borrow what you can afford
Pay-Off Your Balance
One of the easiest ways to build credit quickly is to completely pay off your credit card at the end of every month. If this isn’t possible, then consider designating your credit card for only essential bills like utilities, groceries, and gas. Try to keep your what you owe below 30{e443ec709150c73baf180d3d8e0a41d703fa022f47b2bb5516b57735b7c7f19e} of your credit limit if completely paying off your credit card isn’t something that you can do reliably.
Do Not Miss Payments
Missing a payment here or there isn’t great, but it’s notrnthe end of the world. Consistently missing payments is terrible. Timelyrnpayments show lenders that you are responsible and that they will get the moneyrnowed to them if they were to lend to you. Prioritize making your payments onrntime, every time.
Have Only a Few Cards
If you don’t have a credit card, get one, and only one. If you have multiple cards, try consolidating them. Pay off cards with low balances and either stop using them altogether or cancel them. If you have more than three credit cards, you may be shooting yourself in the financial foot.
Need a Car, But Have Bad Credit?
Here at OKCarz, we can get you affordable financing evenrnwith badrncredit. Try trading-in yourrnold vehicle for even more affordable financing.
More from OkCarz
Tips to Stay Fit During the 2020 Holiday Season
How Does the Anti-Lock Braking System Work?
What is the Debt Snowball Method?
How to Improve the Lifespan of Your Brakes
Fun Things to Do with Kids in Tampa, Florida
Family-Friendly Activities in the Tampa, FL Area
Tampa is home to many fun and exciting attractions andrnactivities that are family-friendly. From thrilling rides to admiring some ofrnthe world’s most majestic creatures, there are many fun things to do with kidsrnin Tampa, Florida. Here’s a few recommendations the next time you are lookingrnto spend quality time with your family in this gorgeous and sunny city.
[ Explore morernActivities and Local Events in Florida ]
The Florida Aquarium
Looking for something relaxing and beautiful? Stop by The Florida Aquarium to see a large diversity of aquatic wildlife up close. Animals you can watch swim by include sharks, otters, turtles, stingrays, eels, seahorses, alligators, and much more! Chances are that you and your kids will see an animal that you have never seen before or didn’t know much about. Along with educating and entertaining guests, The Florida Aquarium actively participates in conservation efforts to protect our oceans. To learn more about the work that The Florida Aquarium does along with each of the exhibits they have available for you to enjoy, check out the organization’s website here.
Tampa Bay Water Bike Company
Want to spend some time out on the water? With Tampa Bay Water Bike Company, explore Tampa in a way that isn’t possible from the shore! Bike as a single or grab a friend and get a double. The bikes are powered by you and can be rented out in one-hour or two-hour increments. While the bikes themselves are designed to keep you safe, riders will be required to wear safety equipment in the rare instance that someone falls off. To reserve your tickets and to learn more about this activity, visit the Tampa Bay Water Bike Company website.
Busch Gardens
Themed around Africa, Busch Gardens offers plenty ofrnactivities for guests of any age. If you have young kids, check out thernkid-friendly rollercoasters and the Sesame Street® Safari of Fun. Don’t havernyoung kids along and not afraid to ride something fast, tall, and exciting?rnCheck out popular rides like SheiKra, Cheetah Hunt, and the new Tigris. Don’trnwant to ride rollercoasters? Family-friendly shows and animal exhibits arerngreat options for guests of any age. Busch Gardens is home to over 200 animalrnspecies, including cheetahs, lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants, hippos, kangaroos,rnzebras, African penguins, and more. For more details, check out the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay websiternhere.
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