JUMP STARTING A VEHICLE - PRECAUTIONS and SAFETY

    Good day and hope everyone is making it through the winter. Hang in there-spring is on the way!! Sitting at the computer screen and thinking about writing a blog today and I thought I would talk about a subject that happens at Black Motor Co. several times in a week-Jump starting a vehicle. I thought it would be good to go over the correct process in jump starting a vehicle.
  

Jump Starting A Dead Car Battery: A Few Precautions

• Line both cars up so the batteries are as close as can be. Make sure the cars are in park, and both cars are turned off, and not touching each other before you connect the cables. Actually one of them is already off, or you wouldn't be in this predicament right? Make sure all headlights, blinkers, car radios and A/C's are off, radar detectors are unplugged, cell phones unplugged, everything off. Unplug all accessories from cigarette lighters and other power sockets from both cars. Jump starting a battery can crank 300+ volts through your system and the transients can destroy equipment. These voltage spikes are caused by inrush current, into the inductances in your electrical system. Also, pull the key from the dead car until jumper cables are hooked up.
• Familiarize yourself with the Positive (+) and Negative (-) terminals of both car batteries so you know exactly which one is which. All batteries are clearly marked so if you can't find it, it's probably under 1/8" of caked on corrosion around the terminals. Wipe off any battery acid that may have leaked.
• If the battery is cracked and liquid is leaking out, DO NOT go further! Bite the bullet and go buy another battery and swap it out. If you try to jump start a battery with a crack in it, it will explode, and battery acid will dissolve your eyes (on the positive side though, it does get the red out). It makes no sense to jump a cracked battery, it will die in a few minutes.
• Try to clean off any corrosion around the dead battery terminals, and if you have tools, loosen the wires from the terminals, clean them off, then retighten the wires to the shiny posts. Corroded posts prevent the power from getting through the cables and into your battery to revive it. If you have a file handy, try to file the metal battery posts until they are nice and shiny. In a pinch use pliers to clamp down and scrape off corrosion too as the metal is somewhat soft.
• Usually the positive battery cable is red or orange, and usually the Negative (-) or ground cable is black, but always check for yourself to be sure.

    

Connecting The Car Battery Jumper Cables

       The cables must be connected in this order for safety:

1.   Connect one positive end of the jumper cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery.

2.   Connect the other positive end of the jumper cable to the positive terminal of the good battery.

3.   Connect the one negative end of the jumper cable to the negative terminal of the good battery.

4.   Connect the other negative end of the jumper cable to a shiny nut or bolt on the dead vehicle. This will need to be a grounded piece on the engine or on the frame of the vehicle. You should only connect to the negative terminal on the dead battery as a last option to avoid an explosion by spark. This is a slight chance but should be avoided if at all possible.

     Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!
    Now, as we have the car batteries hooked together, let them run for a minute or two before you try to start the dead vehicle. Once the dead vehicle starts, remove the cables in the reverse order that you connected them. Then I recommend having the electrical system checked by a service technician. We at Black Motor Co. have the tools and knowledge to ensure your vehicles electrical system is in good running condition. The battery may just need to have corrosion removed from the battery terminals and it may need a new battery or have the charging system inspected. Don't wait until your vehicle will not start-take care of the problem before you get stranded.

     Being the sports nut that I am, I was as happy as one person could get when Nebraska beat Texas in basketball. Helps with some of the pain from football. Let's hope the Huskers can win a few more games and make the NCAA tourney. That would be a blast.

                                                            Waiting for Spring

                                                             The BLACKMOTORWAY BLOGGER

Car Salesmen-Is the reputation deserved?

    Hello and hope you have been enjoying the nice weather we have had lately. When the weather changes from so cold to almost record warmth, it makes us think spring is right around the corner. We could still have some nasty weather (girls and boys state basketball tourney's usually bring out the bad weather), but we are getting closer to spring.
    I thought today I would talk about the car salesman and his or her reputation. We have all had to deal with the " Trust Me " car salesman. Pushy and full of promises- you know the type. In the past, car salespersons worked strictly on a commission basis…so they only made money if they sold you a car. Thus, they would say anything you wanted to hear whether it was true or not, made promises they knew they wouldn’t or couldn’t keep, glossed over or outright lied about material defects or problems, and tried to sell you on the pricier cars (more money for them).    
    Modern, more reputable dealers are going more often with the "no hassle, no haggle" approach where the cars are marked with a (reasonably) net price, and the salespersons get paid a salary plus bonuses for reaching a sales goal…not a commission where you as the buyer get pushed into a more expensive vehicle. The salesperson is still motivated to sell you a car, but it can be any car you want, as he or she gets credit for each unit sold, & not neccessarily for the dollar volume sold. There are still some of the less-than-honorable dealers out there, but they are gradually dying off as the consumer gets more educated.
    So let us look at the approach to car sales here at Black Motor Co. Our two salespersons at Black Motor Co., Brad and Jody, both DO NOT work on commission sales. They treat every customer as a professional should, with respect and honesty. They give you an upfront price, fair from the beginning of the sales process, so you always know where you stand. Jody and Brad aim to be fair with every customer on a one on one basis with no hidden agendas. Black Motor Co. Is a family owned business which has been around for 56 years. We are not looking to give our customers the shaft. We want your future business and we feel the best way to achieve that is to be honest and fair with every customer. Brad and Jody will show you this professional attitude. Buying a vehicle should be a pleasurable experience not like "pulling teeth". If you are looking for a new or pre-owned vehicle, Let Jody or Brad make your shopping experience for that vehicle enjoyable not painful.
    The winter sports season is winding down with state wrestlers on the mat this week. Good luck to all the area grapplers. Girls sub-districts are under way and the boys will begin next week. Good Luck to all the area team hoopsters. My team the Steelers lost the Super Bowl, but at least it was a decent game. Go to our twitter page and find the many links for Dodge Chrysler Jeep vehicles. The twitter button for Black Motor Co. is located on our website blackmotor.com. Also follow us on facebook at that site. It is a good way to keep up on trends and happenings at Black Motor Co. and the Dodge Chrysler Jeep family.

                                                      Fun in blogging

                                                      THE BLACKMOTOR WAY BLOGGER

Don't neglect vehicle when weather changes

    Welcome back everyone. Spring is just around the corner. Your vehicle needs to have just as much attention when the weather warms up. Let us look at some tips for your vehicle when the weather warms up.
     First, lets talk about tires. As always, your tire pressure is very important. Properly inflated tires will give you the best fuel mileage for your vehicle and with the price of fuel on the rise, saving on gas is good for everyone. Also, as the temperature goes up, you want your tire pressure at proper inflation to help prevent tire failures. Blowouts are dangerous and no fun if on a family trip, so make sure your tires are at the recomended inflation and have good tread depth.
   Second, make sure the cooling system is ready for warm weather driving. Your coolant system should be checked for antifeeze levels, leaks, and make sure hoses are in good condition. Antifreeze is just as important to warm weather driving as winter driving. Antifreeze protects the coolant system and allows the engine to work at its best preformance. Don't forget the coolant system!!!
   Next, make sure that you check the belts on your vehicle. The belts may be one of the most neglected parts of the engine. Check for cracks and wear before you have a belt failure. The belts run all the systems on the engine and should be kept in good running condition. Our service technicians find it better to replace the belts if worn before there is a problem instead of a problem on the road. Make sure to have the belts checked with your next service of your vehicle.
    Also, don't forget the battery. Hot weather is hard on a battery just like cold weather. Have the battery terminals checked for corrosion and make sure the amps are good and the system is charging properly.
    The weather in Nebraska goes from very cold to very hot. Your vehicle needs to be ready for these changes. Let our technicians make sure that your vehicle is ready for the weather when it changes from cold to hot.
                              MENTION THIS BLOG FOR A 28.50 SERVICE SPECIAL

                                                              Ready for warm weather

                                                              THE BLACKMOTORWAY BLOGGER

Buying VS. Leasing - The Pros and Cons

   Just as some people prefer to live in apartments or condos instead of buying houses, many people are choosing to lease their new cars, rather than buying them outright. For some, this is a decision influenced by credit scores - typically, low credit scores get you more money with a lease - but it's a lifestyle choice as well: if you prefer driving newer vehicles, and if you don't mind always having a car payment, leasing can be beneficial. Alternatively, if your ultimate goal is payment-free reliable transportation, or you're in the market for a used car, an outright purchase is probably a better bet.    

How do Leases Actually Work?

When you purchase a car, you typically make a down payment, and either pay fees and taxes in cash or roll them into your loan. You pay interest at a rate determined by your lender, and your monthly payments begin a month after your contract is signed. Your loan payments go toward the vehicle's entire cost.
When you lease a car, though, your payments are only going toward the part of the vehicle's cost that you will use in the time you have it. In addition, you have the option of not making a down payment, and, in most states you pay sales tax only on your monthly payments, which include a money factor that is not unlike the interest rate on a loan. In addition, there may also be additional fees, or even a security deposit, and your first payment is made when your sign your contract.
As an example, if you purchase a car that costs $25,000 you pay all of it, plus taxes, fees, and finance charges, but because cars begin to depreciate the moment they leave the lot, 24 months later, that car may only be worth $15,000 if you were to resell it.
If you lease the same $25,000 car, it will still depreciate at the same rate, but instead of paying the entire cost, you only pay for the difference - the part you use - of $10,000 (plus finance charges and fees). This is why leasing is generally less expensive than buying.
Loan payments are made of two parts, principal, which represents a portion of the entire cost of the vehicle, and the finance charge, which represents the interest charged by your lender. Think of interest as the fee you pay for borrowing money.
Lease payments are also composed of two parts, a depreciation charge, which compensates the dealer or leasing company for value lost during the lease (again, it's the part of the car value that you are using) and a finance charge, which is interest charged for the lease company's investment in your car.          

Differences between Buying and Leasing

The obvious difference between purchasing and leasing a vehicle is this: at the end of the loan term, you own the car, but at the end of a lease, you have to either return the car, and lease another, or buy out the remaining balance of the car's value (also known as equity). One of the benefits of leasing, however, is something called gap insurance. Gap insurance, which you pay for, insures the difference between the value of the car, and what you owe on your lease, which can be extremely beneficial in the event of a serious accident that results in above-average damage to the vehicle.
Because of depreciation, if you are buying your car, you may find yourself in the position of owing more on the loan than the car is actually worth, and while gap insurance can, in theory, be purchased separately, it's extremely difficult to find an agent who sells it.

So, Does this Mean Leasing is Better?

With the obvious benefits of smaller monthly payments and gap insurance, it may seem that leasing is the perfect choice for everyone, but that isn't necessarily true.
Certainly you should consider a lease if the car you want is more expensive than you can easily afford (more than about $30,000), or if you have slightly dented credit, or limited cash for a down payment. Leasing is also an excellent choice if you prefer to have a new car every three or four years, but remember that when you lease, your car payment is with you forever. Also, if you frequently drive more than 15,000 miles a year, leasing can cost you money, as excessive mileage incurs extra fees when the lease is over.
Damage, too, costs extra when you turn in a leased vehicle - anything over and above 'normal' wear and tear can incur fees.
Buying, on the other hand, is a better choice if you want reliable transportation without a car payment, or if you're considering the purchase of a used car. Since most of the depreciation occurs in the first few years after a car is built, leasing a used car may not save you money. And just as extra mileage costs money when you lease, if you frequently make long trips, purchasing your car may be the way to go.
Fundamentally, just like choosing a house in the suburbs, or an apartment in the heart of a city, the decision to lease or buy is a lifestyle choice. Whichever you decide, however, make sure that you get quotes from more than one lender or lease company, and read all the fine print before you sign on the dotted line.
( This atricle courtesy of M.A. Bartell from Carseek)

       I found this article and thought it was a good explanation of leasing vs. buying a vehicle. Check with Denise here at Black Motor Co. if you are thinking about leasing your next vehicle. Great deals all around the lot on new and used vehicles. Stop in or call Black Motor Co. toll free 1-888-966-0572 or blackmotor@live.com. Brad or Jody are ready to help you with all of your driving needs.

       Super Bowl Sunday in 2 days and all the new commercials will be the talk on Monday morning. They are usually better than the game. I just hope for a competitive game and have to root for the Steelers since I am an old AFL guy. Have fun at the SUPER BOWL PARTY.


                                                           PASS THE NACHOS

                                                           THE BLACKMOTORWAY BLOGGER