Does OKCarz Offer a Warranty for Purchased Vehicles?

Included Powertrain Warranty for Cars Sold at OKCarz
A big fear that many car buyers have when purchasing a used vehicle is knowing exactly how long the powertrain will last. What if the car breaks down a month after buying it? What if there was damage to one of the mechanical components that got missed during the inspection? Here at OKCarz, we want you to have full confidence that the vehicle you buy from us is of the highest quality and will be reliable. That is why every car that is sold by us will include a lengthy powertrain warranty.
[ Shop for a Used Vehicle in CentralrnFlorida ]

How Long is the Powertrain Warranty at OKCarz?
Customers will enjoy 24 months or 24,000 miles of powertrain protection. Coverage includes most engine, axle, and transmission components. If you did not exceed 24 months since purchasing the vehicle and did not travel more than 24,000 miles since signing, let us know. Call one of our No Credit Finance Program Specialists at 863-286-3822 to get all the coverage details.
Test Drive a Used Car in Central Florida
Are you searching for a reliable car that can get you to your destination? Need to stick to a certain budget? Here at OKCarz, we offer a large selection of pre-owned vehicles with a variety of drivetrains, body types, and price ranges. If you are looking to test drive a used car in Central Florida, look no further than OKCarz.
Want more details regarding our services? Maybe you’re looking for financial or maintenance tips. Browse the OKCarz blog for more posts like this. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us and we will get you the answers you need.
Summer Vehicle Maintenance Checklist

Tips for Getting Your Car Ready for Summer
Summer is right around the corner. While you may be ready tornenjoy the weather, your car might not be. Whether you are due for regular vehiclernmaintenance or you need to check some parts that aren’t as common, here’s ourrnsummer vehicle maintenance checklist so you know your car is ready for summer.
[ Tipsrnfor Improving your Fuel Economy ]
Get an Oil Change
Oil changes should already be getting done frequently, butrnthey are even more important during the hot summer months. Why is this? Intensernheat can make your oil thinner and break down sooner. Thin, broken down oilrndoesn’t lubricate the engine as well as it should and can lead tornmetal-on-metal contact, which will eventually lead to damage.

Flush and Fill the Coolant
One of the most common reasons for engine breakdowns duringrnthe summer is due to overheating engines. To help prevent this, your vehiclernneeds to have enough coolant to cool itself off. If your coolant levels arernlow, fill it up. If you haven’t had a coolant flush in over a year, get itrnflushed first before filling. Like oil, coolant can break down over time andrnwon’t be as effective if too old.
Test your A/C Unit
The last thing you want is to be driving during one of thernhottest days of the summer and not have a functioning A/C unit. Check to see ifrnyour A/C is blowing cold air or not. If it isn’t as cold as you’d expect, takernit in to a mechanic and have them inspect it.
Check Hoses and Belts
The next time you visit a mechanic, have them check yourrnhoses and belts. Heat can make issues such as cracks and leaks worse. If notrnaddressed quickly enough, your car may break down. Of course, it’s ideal tornhave your hoses and belts checked before summer arrives.
Check your Tire Tread and Pressure
Over time, the tread on your tires will decrease with use. Beforernyou take that big summer road trip, makernsure you have plenty of tread with the quarter test. Also, check your tirernpressure so that it meets the proper pressure indicated in your owner’s manual.rnTires can gain or lose 1 PSI for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit, decreasing in therncold and increasing in the heat.
[ Get More Vehicle Maintenance Tips at thernOKCarz Blog ]
Ways to give back Thanksgiving 2017 in Lakeland, FL
Food Pantries and Volunteer Opportunities near Lakeland, FL
For most people, Thanksgiving immediately brings to mind the smell of turkey cooking while spending time with family and friends. Before you sit down to a Thanksgiving feast this year, consider those who will be spending the holiday alone or without a hot meal. If you want to help make a difference in someone’s life this Thanksgiving, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities in Lakeland, FL.
Wings of Eagles
Working with the Cahill Food Bank, Wings of Eagles is able to help distribute badly-needed items to people in the greater Lakeland area. They also participate in providing medicine and supplies internationally to places like Mexico and India. Give some time this Thanksgiving and volunteer at Wings of Eagles to help collect, sort, and prepare the donated items for distribution.
Meals on Wheels
For some homebound people, it can be difficult to access healthy, hot meals. Meals on Wheels of Polk County helps provide meals and a friendly face to those in Polk County. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer, from food preparation and packing to meal delivery and much more. Choose a time that best works for you, and spend a few hours helping members of your community.
[Related: Emergency items to keep in your trunk]
Places to Donate food in Lakeland, FL
Though Thanksgiving and the holiday season is one time where families can experience severe hardships, there are many people who need help year-round. Taking time to volunteer at a food bank can a great way to give back to your community.
Even if you aren’t able to spend the time volunteering, you can still help through donations of pasta, veggies, soups, cereal, peanut butter, rice, shelf-stable milk and other non-perishable food items. Some food banks may also be looking for personal care items like toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, feminine care products, and diapers. Check with your preferred location to see what items they need.
Winter Haven Food Pantry
Donate food, clothing, and personal care items at the Winter Haven Food Pantry as part of the Catholic Charities of Central Florida. In addition to donations, there are also opportunities to volunteer.
United Food Bank of Plant City
There are plenty of ways to help the United Food Bank of Plant City. Donate food, sponsor a food drive, or donate money online. Anyway you can help is greatly appreciated.
Car Insurance Basics
How to decide on an auto insurance policy
Whether you’ve just gotten your license, or if you’ve been driving for years in a hand-me-down minivan, one of the first steps to take after buying your first vehicle is registering for car insurance. In Florida, you are required to have auto insurance when you register your vehicle. If you’ve just gotten your first vehicle, it is likely that you’ve never had to set up insurance before.
When you choose an insurance policy, there are different types of coverage that you can opt for, like Collision, Un-or-Underinsured motorists, and Comprehensive. Each different aspect of your insurance policy protects you from a different possible accident outcome. For example, with comprehensive insurance, your vehicle is protected against non-accident related damage, like flooding, theft, or vandalism.
The state of Florida requires drivers to have at minimum, coverage for $10,000 personal injury protection, and $10,000 property damage liability. Personal injury protection, also known as PIP, which pays for the medical expenses incurred from an auto accident. Liability insurance will cover damages to property or automobiles.
[Related: What to do when you’re buying your first car]
How much does car insurance cost?
Before you consider buying a vehicle, you should have already figured out a budget, which should include the cost of insurance. There are many aspects that go into how much your auto insurance will cost, like your driving record, how much you drive, the area you live, and the type of car you drive. While having a slick sports car might be fun, you’ll end up paying more for insurance. The price of your policy also uses the value of your vehicle.
When you’re shopping for insurance, there are plenty of options for you to consider. It is important to shop around for the best price that will fit not only your budget but your insurance needs. Once you’ve found an insurance company that will offer you the best coverage, ask them about discounts for good driving, or if you’re still a student, good grades. Regardless of which insurance company you go through, having insurance is a great way to make sure that your used vehicle is taken care of.
Buying a used vehicle with a warranty
Should you make sure that your used vehicle has a warranty?
Buying a car can be one of the most expensive purchases you’ll make, so it’s likely that you want to make sure that you’re protected in case something happens. For accidents, you have insurance, but sometimes things in your vehicle can just go wrong. When you buy a new car, you’ll be protected by a manufacturer’s warranty. However, many drivers aren’t able to purchase a brand-new car and must turn instead to used vehicles. Just because you buy a used vehicle, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to get protection for your car.
Of course, you can find used vehicles that are still under their manufacturer’s warranty. There are some places where you can buy a certified pre-owned vehicle, which means that the car has to fit into certain specifications to classified as such. Many of those come with a warranty and are often a lot newer. You may even be able to purchase an extended manufacturer’s warranty.
[Related: Should you replace your current car?]
Used vehicle warranty options
If the vehicle you’re looking at doesn’t have a warranty, you don’t necessarily have to worry. It is easy to get an aftermarket warranty, which will provide you the same coverage you would get from a dealership. While there are many reputable companies that can sell you an aftermarket warranty, there are others that may have a less than shiny reputation. Before you commit to anything, be sure to do your research.
When you’re buying a used car, you want to make sure that everything goes smoothly. While there are plenty of options for aftermarket warranty options, it might be easier to find a dealership that provides you with a warranty. At OkCarz, every vehicle is carefully inspected and comes with a 6 month/6,000 mile powertrain warranty. For more information on the warranty, and to learn more about financing options, visit one of the five OkCarz locations.
How does vehicle color affect value?
Best color options when you’re buying a used vehicle
For some drivers, choosing the color of their vehicle is the most important decision that they can make. This is mostly a purely aesthetic decision for many, but the color of your car can actually affect its resale value. Whether you choose to stick with a neutral option or go for a more exciting choice, the color of a vehicle can affect how much it costs, even if you’re buying a used vehicle.
There are many car enthusiasts who complain that too many new vehicles don’t take risks when it comes to color, and they aren’t wrong. The three most popular vehicle colors in the United States are Silver, White, and Black. When you break down popular color options by model, those three colors are always in the top five most popular choices. Since these neutral colors are the most popular options for new cars, it is likely that you’ll see vehicles that are those colors when you’re looking for a used car.
[Related: What to look for when buying a used car]
Can a bright color affect vehicle resale?
When you’re looking for a vehicle with a bright or unusual vehicle, you’ll have a harder time finding it, especially if it’s a color that isn’t made by the manufacturer anymore. If you are able to track down a vehicle with the unique color option you’re looking for, you’ll likely have to pay more than you would for a similar vehicle that is silver or white, because scarcity drives up value.
However, the exact opposite could be the case. In some instances, it depends on what style of vehicle you’re looking for. A yellow sports car will maintain a higher price, while a yellow used SUV or pickup will likely be a better value. More unique colors also tend to stay on the lot longer, as fewer drivers are actively looking for a bright vehicle.
No matter what color used vehicle you’re looking for, you should be able to find it at one of the five OkCarz locations. Whether the vehicle you have your eye on has held its value, or you’re looking for starter vehicle, you’ll be able to get help with financing from OkCarz.
Emergency items to keep in your trunk
What to keep in your car for an emergency
Disaster can strike at any moment. Your vehicle could run out of gas or break down on the side of the road at any time. If something bad does happen to your vehicle, it is important to be prepared. When you’re prepared, you won’t have to be as worried about getting stranded, and you can be comfortable in the knowledge that you have everything you need to confront the situation.
There are some things that everyone should have in their vehicle, like the owner’s manual, and a spare tire. Other vehicle maintenance items like jumper cables, engine oil, and transmission fluid can also be useful if you are able to diagnose and quickly fix what is wrong with your vehicle. Otherwise, here are some items that can help you stay safe if you get stranded on the side of the road.
First Aid Kit
While it would be useful to have a first aid kit with you at all times, it could be cumbersome. However, keeping one in your car can make you a hero in an emergency situation, even if that emergency is just a skinned knee. While some may feel confident with having a wad of paper towels and duct tape, a good first aid kit will at least include gauze, medical tape, self-adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, hand sanitizer, elastic bandage wrap and pain relievers.
Cell phone charger
Gone are the days where you could walk a couple of miles and find a pay phone if you get in a bind. While most people have cell phones, so pay phones aren’t really needed, if your phone runs out of battery you’ll be stuck with no way of contacting help. A portable phone charger can help keep your phone alive, or you can opt for a solar or crank powered charger that doesn’t rely on remembering to recharge the charger.
Emergency Food and Water
Food and water are essential to staying alive, so keeping some non-perishable snacks and a sturdy water bottle in your vehicle could save your life. While it is unlikely that you’ll be stranded for multiple days, it is possible, and it is always smart to be prepared.
Flashlight
Most cell phones have a flashlight function that can provide light in a pinch. However, if you’re stuck on low battery or with a dead phone, having a flashlight can be immeasurably useful if you experience vehicle difficult at night. If you already have a flashlight, be sure to check the batteries regularly.
[Related: How to make a budget]
Avoiding an emergency
While it is impossible to tell if and when your vehicle might break down, if your vehicle is getting up there in years, you should consider replacing it. While purchasing a new vehicle is not something to do on a whim, you can visit OkCarz at one of its five locations to view a wide variety of used models that will fit your budget.
How Fuel Efficient is your vehicle?
Calculating your vehicle’s fuel economy
Fuel efficiency is one of the many crucial aspects to consider when you’re shopping for a vehicle. A vehicle that is fuel efficient is going to be better for the earth, and better for your wallet. Even if you aren’t in the market for a new vehicle, it can be helpful to get a car that has high fuel economy. You can generally find the estimated fuel economy rating of your vehicle easily in the owner’s manual or online, but the estimated number can greatly vary from your actual fuel efficiency.
While there are some places online that will calculate your fuel economy for you, they still need the same information that you need to calculate it for yourself. Keeping track of your fuel efficiency is easy enough. There are four simple steps that you need to follow to accurately calculate your fuel economy.
[Related: What to look for when buying a used car]
How to calculate fuel economy
The first step is completely filling up to the gas tank on your vehicle, and making note of the mileage on the odometer or resetting the trip odometer. If you have an older vehicle, you might not have a trip odometer, which adds an extra step later on in the process. Once you’ve filled up your vehicle, drive as you normally would, and refill the tank when it gets low.
Once you’ve refilled the tank, write down the total gallons that it took to completely refill your gas tank. Before you leave, write down the new odometer reading or the total on the trip odometer. If you don’t have a trip odometer, you can find how many miles you drove on that tank of gas by subtracting the first odometer reading from the second. From there, divide the number from the odometer by the number of gallons it took to refill your gas tank. The number you get will be your vehicle’s fuel economy for that time period.
If you’ve been tracking your fuel economy and found it lacking, you can stop by one of the five OkCarz locations to take a look at a used vehicle. There are plenty of low-mileage, high fuel economy vehicles available. You can even find hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius.
What is a low-mileage used vehicle?
How to tell if a used vehicle is low mileage
There are plenty of people who will never own a brand-new car. Many people turn to used vehicles over a new one for a variety of reasons. Of course, a big concern is that buying a new car is very expensive, and as soon as you take it off the lot, the value begins to take a nosedive. One advantage that new cars have over used is that you don’t have to worry about the wear-and-tear that someone else put on your vehicle.
When you’re considering buying a used car, you have to think about a lot of additional factors. One of them is looking for a model with low mileage. On a new vehicle, the mileage is almost always low since the vehicle hasn’t really been driven by anyone else. The mileage on a used vehicle can be all over the place. When you look at a used vehicle, the mileage should add up to having put on about 10,000 miles every year. Many drivers think of 200,000 as the magic number, and any vehicle with mileage over that is generally considered to have high mileage.
[Related: Should you replace your current car?]
How to decide what used vehicle to buy
Another thing to consider when you’re buying a used vehicle is what you want from your vehicle. An older car, no matter how many miles are on it, might be expensive to repair if something goes wrong, and with a vehicle that is creeping up there in age, it is likely that something will go wrong at some point. An older vehicle also won’t have the same features that a newer car does. If you can’t bear to be separated from your phone, a newer model is more likely to have Bluetooth® connectivity that lets you use your phone hands-free.
If you don’t have any preference for features on your vehicle, take age, mileage, and price into account when you’re shopping. Of course, an older vehicle is going to cost less when you buy it, but that could turn into costly repairs down the line. When you buy from OkCarz, all of the vehicles on the lot have been inspected, and come with a six-month/6,000-mile limited power-train warranty.
Texting and driving laws in Florida
Can you use your phone while driving in Florida?
Most people know that distracted driving is incredibly dangerous. If you aren’t paying attention to the road, it is easy to cause an accident. One of the biggest distractions that you may have while driving is the compulsion to use your cell phone while behind the wheel. Using a cell phone while driving is dangerous in and of itself, but in most cases, it is using a cellphone to text or email is even more distracting.
While it is pretty much common knowledge that you shouldn’t use your phone while driving, a lot of people still do it. In Florida, there is a law that prohibits texting and driving, or more precisely, using the keyboard to type and send messages, or reading any messages received. There is currently no law prohibiting talking on the phone while driving or using it as a navigation and music streaming device, though that can be just as distracting as texting and driving.

[Related: Should you replace your current car?]
Alternatives to using your phone in the car
If you have to use your phone while driving, it is safest to use a system that allows hands-free usage. Many recent vehicles have technology that allows you to connect your phone to Bluetooth® through with an infotainment system. These systems can be voice-activated and will deliver messages and pipe your phone call through the audio system. If you are in a vehicle that doesn’t have a wireless system, pass your phone to a passenger and have them send messages for you.
If you’re interested in a vehicle that allows you to safely use your cell phone while driving, visit OkCarz to find a used vehicle that has an infotainment system. With most modern vehicle models having these systems, you should be able to find a used vehicle with no trouble. While you’re going to pay a fraction of what a new vehicle costs, you can find information on vehicle financing on the OkCarz website, or when you visit the dealership.












































