1. Safety belt features: Safety belts have been a standard feature on cars for decades, but they’re not all created equal. You want the three-point lap-and-shoulder belts that provide the most protection, and you also want them to have safety-belt pretensioners and force limiters -- basically extra safety protectors. Finally, you want to make sure that there’s a safety belt for EVERY seat in the car.
2. Head Restraints: Head restraints have been standard since 2009. They’re important for preventing whiplash, so double check and make sure they come with your vehicle.
3. Child Safety Seats: Of course this is something you have to purchase yourself, but you want to make sure that the LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) feature suits your needs. The best way to do this is to try your child’s safety seat in the car.
4. Electronic stability control (ESC): This is the feature that corrects the vehicle's steering by selectively applying brakes or cutting power if the car goes into a skid. This feature can really reduce of getting in to an accident, so make sure that it is up to par.
1) Choose a Reliable Vehicle:
It’s important to read consumer reviews and reports. A vehicle may look shiny and be enticing with fancy features but sometimes you may end up with a lemon if you’re not careful. Always make sure that you do your research and ask for a service record!
2) Find a Mechanic You Trust:
Not all mechanics are trustworthy and will sometimes charge/overcharge you for services you don’t need. There are also many mechanics out there that are honest, hardworking and have your best interest at heart. Once you find one, establish a long-term relationship with them. Having a good go-to mechanic will save you A LOT of money in the long run.
3) Always Stay Up to Date on Your Preventative Maintenance:
This means oil changes, tire rotations, breaks, alignments, and fluid changes. It may seem expensive, but trust me; the consequences of avoiding preventative maintenance will be much more detrimental to your pocket book.
GAP stand for “Guaranteed Auto Protection”, and it’s critical for anyone who is leasing or purchasing a new car. It’s essentially an extra layer of insurance on top of your regular car insurance policy.
If your car suffers a total loss, standard coverage will provide the replacement value cost for your vehicle, or “book value”. The problem with this is that there is usually a significant difference between the “book value” of your vehicle, and your financial obligation to the leasing or auto financing company. Many times when a total loss occurs you can end up owing more than you are insured for. GAP Insurance will help cover the extra amount, so that you can get back on the road faster!
