4 Tips to Spruce Up Your Vehicle for Spring

When you decide to buy a new car, you have a few options for your old one. You can keep it, sell it, or trade it in. Deciding between selling your car privately or trading it in at the dealership can be tough, but trading in is usually the easier option. You'll want to make sure you get the most out of your trade-in so you can apply it to the down payment for your new car and potentially lower your monthly payments. Here are three ways to maximize your vehicle's trade-in value. Take Care of Your Car Taking care of your car is the simplest way to maintain its value. As you drive, make sure you're easy on the vehicle when braking, shifting, and even opening and closing the doors. Any vehicle is going to have some wear and tear over time, but a car that's in better shape is going to have better value. Regular cleaning and maintenance are important aspects of caring for your car. Driving around with a filthy car isn't just about looks, it's not good for the vehicle's exterior. Salt and dirt can build up over time, especially in the undercarriage, and cause rust and corrosion to occur. If you see a warning light or maintenance reminder alert, take care of it as soon as you can. Keep up with regular oil and filter changes, tire rotations, brake checks, and alignments. Not only will the dealership see a stellar maintenance record, but they'll likely see a car in good shape with strong value. more Keep Good Maintenance Records In order to impress the dealership with your consistent maintenance, you'll need to keep track of it. Create a file folder on your computer or in your house and keep receipts from all of your maintenance appointments and repairs. If you handle a lot of maintenance and repairs yourself, you should keep track of those as well. Keeping the receipts from the parts purchased for your at-home repairs is an easy way to keep track. Find Your Trade-In Value Online It's always a good idea to do some research before heading into the dealership to shop for or trade in a vehicle. Online resources like Kelley Blue Book make it easy to figure out how much your car is worth. You'll need to answer some questions about the car, and then you'll get a trade-in value and a fair market value. The trade-in is what you'll likely get at a dealership, and the fair market value is what you might be able to get when selling the car on your own. This can be tricky because your numbers are only going to be as accurate as the information you provide. Make sure you're honest as you answer the online questions, or you might get surprised when the dealership offers you a different amount. At Pat Milliken Ford, we're happy to help you understand the car-buying process and answer any questions regarding trade-ins. Come see our selection of new vehicles and enjoy a few test drives.

When the temperatures drop, there is always the possibility that the driving conditions will deteriorate if a storm comes in. Winter brings a number of issues for travelers, whether it's the cold, the snow, or ice. If you can avoid heading out during a winter storm, it is always a good idea to stay home, but if you have to go out, there are some precautions you can take before you leave and while you are on the road. Here are some winter driving tips so you can stay safe on the road this winter. more Start By Winterizing Your Car Your car needs some attention before you drive it in the winter. If you haven't already, have all the fluids topped off and the oil changed before you go out on the road in the cold weather. Also, have your windshield wipers changed over to winter wipers. These will work better at keeping your windshield clear if you have to drive during a snowstorm. You also want to have your tires checked or changed over to snow tires for better traction in the snow. Have An Emergency Kit in the Car If you do any winter driving, you want to make sure you are prepared for anything. This means having some supplies and an emergency kit in your car at all times. It should have a working flashlight, non-perishable food, a cellphone charger or charged phone, some tools, a first aid kit, a blanket, extra gloves or mittens, and if you have an extra pair of boots, keep these in your car too. Always Completely Clear Off Your Car Make sure you clear all the ice and snow from your car before you leave the driveway or parking lot. This means clearing the roof, the mirrors, and the back window. In some states, it is against the law to drive with snow on the roof, and if you don't clean your windshield, it is just dangerous. Driving in a Snowstorm If you can't avoid going out during a snowstorm, keep your speed down. Always accelerate slowly, and never slam on your brakes. Look ahead so you can prepare for braking, and do it slowly. It is also important to increase your following distance. Leave at least five or six seconds between you and the car in front of you, so you have a longer stopping distance. If you can avoid stopping completely, bring the vehicle to a slow roll so you won't have to start again from a full stop. Long-Distance Winter Driving If you head out on a long-distance road trip during the winter, always make sure someone knows your itinerary. Check the weather along the way before you leave so you know what you might need to avoid and make sure you have a fully charged cellphone and a charger in the vehicle. Follow these winter driving tips to stay safer out on the road during the cold season. If you can avoid driving during a winter storm, delay your trip, and if you have to go out, make sure you prepare for it.

Summer is the perfect time for taking a road trip with family and friends. Follow this checklist of three steps to take before a summer road trip, and you'll be ready to hit the road in no time. Schedule Routine Maintenance Before taking your vehicle on an extended road trip, it's a good idea to take the vehicle to service professionals for routine maintenance. The mechanic will give your vehicle a thorough checkup to make sure all parts of the vehicle are in good working order. Even if you can check and refill the oil yourself or check the tire pressure on your own, it doesn't hurt to have a professional double-check that all parts of the car are functioning properly before you leave for your summer road trip. Check the Tires The tires bear the brunt of your vehicle's road trip, so it's wise to monitor their condition often throughout the course of your journey. The air pressure in the tires needs to be checked every 1,000 miles or so to ensure the tires are properly inflated at all times. Checking the tire pressure frequently will not only help keep you safe on the road, but it can also help you achieve better fuel efficiency along the way. It's important to have your vehicle's tires rotated on a regular basis, as this helps them wear evenly and should help them last longer. For optimal tire performance, it's a good idea to have the tires rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles or any time you have your vehicle brought in for routine maintenance. Ask a mechanic if you feel your tires need replacing Check Fluid Levels One of the most vital components of a vehicle, fluids play a huge role in the performance of your vehicle. Your vehicle's fluids will be checked during routine maintenance, but it's important to monitor the fluid levels during road trips. You'll need to make sure that your car has enough oil and that it's changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Oil is essential for the engine to operate, so it needs to be checked frequently and changed if necessary to ensure quality engine performance. Another important fluid in your vehicle is the windshield-wiper fluid, as it enables you to keep the windshield free from dirt and debris. Thankfully, changing the windshield-wiper fluid is easy. All you have to do is purchase a container of windshield-wiper fluid from a gas station and then fill the reservoir to the appropriate level. Other fluids that you'll want to check before a road trip include the vehicle's radiator fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid. Taking these steps to prepare your vehicle beforehand can save you from some potential problems during your trip. Be sure to visit Pat Milliken Ford near Detroit, Michigan, to schedule your vehicle's maintenance just in time for your summer road trip.