Jer Blog

In today’s world, there are many topics that can creat a heated debate. Politics, animal rights and foreign policy are just a few. However, one that hits a little more close to home, is the subject of buying versus leasing a new car.

According to a recent survey, approximately 23% of the auto market is made up of leased vehicles. However, this large variance does not dictate which option is better, due to the fact that many businesses lease vehicles.

When considering your next auto purchase, how can you decide which path is the best to take? Here are some points to consider when you are thinking about leasing:

1. Lower payments: Lower payments aren’t the only reason to lease. Leasing also offers purchasing flexibility.

2. A worry-free drive: Drivers who lease do not have to worry about watching the value of their car drop every year or deal with hefty repair bills. At the end of the lease term, they can simply turn in the car and walk away.

Are not a replacement for seat belts? Some vehicles feature an on/off switch for air bags so they can be turned off in the event that a passenger 12 years or under sits in the fron seat.

Surveys show that many times the air bag switch is incorrectly left on for these passengers, which can result in injury. As a precaution, it is best to always check the switch before pulling away. Better yet, have younger passengers always ride in the backseat of the vehicle, which is safer.

Frontal air bags have saved more than 13,000 lives between 1987-2003. Today, front air bags are standard equipment on vehicles and air side air bags (SABs) are quickly becoming standard as well. SABs are inflateable devices that are designed to help protect your head and/or chest in the event of a serious crash involving the side of your vehicle. Although they are not regulated or mandated, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that if all vehicles on U.S. roads were equipped with at least head protection SAB’s, around 1000 lives would be saved per year during side impact crashes.

You hear the sirens behind you and you know what is about to happen. It’s too late…you are about to get a speeding ticket.

Actually, there are things you can do to, perhaps, get off with only a warning:

• Immediately slow down and pull off to the right of the road.
• Stay in your vehicle unless you are asked to leave it.
• Roll down your window when asked, and keep your hands visible at all times.
• If you need to reach into your purse, wallet, glove box etc. for license and information, explain what you are doing.
• Speak courteously and clear, and don’t let passengers speak unless they are instructed to.

Maybe, just maybe, you won’t get that ticket. Of course, the best way to avoid a ticket is to follow the speed limit in the first place.

By having your vehicle’s alignment checked (tires and wheels), you ensure that your wheels are moving in a straight line when you steer straight, therefore cutting down on irregular tread wear. Misalignment can result in tire damage as well as damage to the vehicle’s suspension system, which can be very costly.

A car’s front end alignment  is one of the top 10 things that an auto owner forgets to have done on a regular basis.

If you put a few dollars into car maintenance, you are almost certain to get better overall performance and vehicle longevity.