How to Get the Most Value When You Sell Your Vehicle…

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Posted in Car Care, Maintenance, tips
 
When it comes time to sell or trade in your vehicle, there are only positives. You get cash or a new car and someone else gets to make new memories in yours. When you trade in your car it can act as the down payment for your new ride. Whether you’re trading or simply selling, you want to get the most value for your previously used car, truck, van or SUV! Here are some tips to make sure you get the most for your vehicle:
 
1. Find out what your car is worth
The first step in negotiating the sale of your vehicle is to have a good idea of what your car’s value really is. There are a few sites available to help you get a realistic idea of what your vehicle is worth, but the two most often used are Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com) and Edmunds.com. Comparing values on multiple sites will give you a great starting point.
 
2. Fix any issues
All cars have little dings and mechanical issues that could use a little TLC; you’re going to see more value for your vehicle if you address them before selling it. It’s also a good idea to check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration database to see if there are any recalls affecting your car. Recalled parts can be fixed free of charge, and the extra effort may up your vehicle’s value. Even repairing small cosmetic dings can make your vehicle worth more.
 
Kind of an old-school trick, but a good one, is to keep receipts for repairs, oil changes and maintenance. These can prove to the dealer or buyer that you took really good care of your vehicle. 
 
3. Shine it up good (inside and out)
Get your car detailed. The nicer it looks, the more money it will appraise for. Think of detailing your car like staging a home before you sell it. Curb appeal applies to cars too. And don’t forget to remove all your personal items from the interior and the trunk. You want the potential buyer to take one look at your vehicle and see that it’s ready to go – no additional investment needed.
 
4. Find the spare key (and any other accessories)
We know it may sound small, but every penny counts and many buyers are willing to pay a little extra if you have the extra set of keys and all the owner’s manuals. So you might have to search around in that junk drawer, but finding that extra set of keys could pay off. Do you have Weather Tech floor mats?Headrests? A cargo net? First aid kit? Any other accessories you have will help raise the value of your vehicle. Every little bit counts.
 
5. Make an appointment
It sounds silly, but if you’re interested in getting an estimate at a dealership, making an appointment to have your vehicle appraised could net you some extra cash. By giving the dealership plenty of time to value your trade you are giving them time to find you more cash.
 
So if you’re ready to sell your previously loved vehicle, consider a free vehicle appraisal at the Folsom Auto Mall. Get your car appraised for free and browse our new or pre-owned vehicles including: Ford, Toyota, Kia, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Buick, GMC, Hyundai, Chevrolet and Nissan. 

All-Wheel Drive. Four-Wheel Drive. Know the Difference.

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Posted in Social
 

The best way to understand the difference between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive is to think of it this way. A Diet Coke is to a double espresso as all-wheel drive is to four-wheel drive. Both are means to an end, but while a Diet Coke and all-wheel drive are acceptable for everyday use, a double espresso and four-wheel drive should be reserved for special occasions, when you need something stronger.

How All-Wheel Drive Works
In an all-wheel drive vehicle, the engine’s power is sent to all four tires all of the time. This helps keep your vehicle going forward better than front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive in the snow, sleet, or rain-covered roads. In high-performance vehicles, all-wheel drive helps transfer the engine’s torque to the ground while at high speeds or when launching from rest with the engine’s full power. A lot of all-wheel-drive cars out today shuffle torque between the front and rear tires as needed and automatically switch to two-wheel drive when appropriate to improve fuel efficiency.

All-wheel drive is best used on pavement because it’s designed to let each tire rotate at its own speed in turns. So all-wheel drive is ideal for the average driver who is looking to stay safe and sound when driving in hazardous conditions. That’s why you’ll find that most SUVs and passenger cars are available in all-wheel drive.

DID YOU KNOW?
All-Wheel Drive Vehicles Should Be Towed On A Flatbed!

While a two-wheel drive vehicle can easily be towed by lifting either the front or rear wheels off the ground, all-wheel drive vehicles need all their wheels lifted in order to be towed. This is because all the wheels are connected to the drivetrain, so pulling the vehicle by just two wheels can damage the vehicle.

It is technically possible to tow an all-wheel drive vehicle on its wheels, but you would need to disengage the driveshaft – which is complex, expensive, and can really only be performed by a trained mechanic. So, the best and correct way to tow an all-wheel drive vehicle is using a flatbed.

How Four-Wheel Drive Works
Intended only for use off-road or on very slippery surfaces, four-wheel drive is a part-time system. This means that the driver has to shift into and out of four-wheel drive. This is usually done by turning a knob, pushing a button, or yanking a lever. When this happens the front and rear driveshafts come together, keeping the front and rear axles turning at the same speed. In sand, mud, and snow, this guarantees that the engine torque is always being sent to at least one front and one rear wheel, without relying on computers to predict or detect wheel slip. So that means there’s more power being put to the ground in very slippery conditions to keep you going. But a major drawback is that four-wheel drive is not designed to be used on paved roads and is reserved for vehicles with serious off-road capability.

So, now you know the difference between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, and you can make the best choice for your needs. If you’re big into taking it off-road, choose four-wheel drive. If you like to keep all your wheels on the road, choose all-wheel drive. No matter what you choose The Folsom Auto Mall has plenty of all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles to choose from. Stop by the Folsom Auto Mall today to take a test drive.