Archive for June, 2011

4 Things That May Hurt Your Car’s Resale Value

Whether you’re selling your car private-party or trading in it, there are a few key things you can do to ensure you’re not hurting its resale value. These 4 tips could help earn you hundreds of additional dollars on the price of a used car you are selling as well as expedite the process.

1. Messy Interiors Can Hurt a Used Car’s Value

First impressions matter; especially when trying to sell a used car. If you have kids, you know it’s almost impossible to keep a car clean. Whether it’s because of food and drink spills or that spot on the back of the front seat that they kick repeatedly on road trips, you’ll want to make sure that those areas of concern have been cleaned up. Make sure you get your car professionally detailed before selling or trading it in if you have a family, pets, or just don’t keep it in showroom condition.

2. Not Keeping Your Car’s Maintenance Records

Regardless of it you bought your car new or used, you really should keep every maintenance record from the time you bought it. Savvy used car buyers are going to know when you bought your car based on a purchase of its vehicle history from either Carfax or Auto Check. If you don’t have a record of your cars maintenance it could indicate to the potential buyer that you don’t maintain your car, which may lower its value.

3. Selling a Used Car with Mechanical Defects

There’s a legal axiom that a lawyer never asks a question without knowing the answer. Yet, people sell their used cars without knowing its mechanical condition. There are a couple of options here. The first is buying a CarMD diagnostic tool. You’re going to want one as you look for used cars. Start off by using it on your own used car. It will give you a report on potential problems. Don’t be surprised if prospective owners show up with one. The second thing you can do is have your used car inspected to give the potential buyer peace of mind and a clear indication of what maintenance may be required. A certified mobile mechanic can come to your home and inspect your car and tell you what’s wrong with it. You can then decide if you want to get the work done before selling it. If you received a recall notice for your car, you’ll want to get the repair work completed before selling it to ensure the car meets national safety standards.

4. Customizing Your Used Car Can Decrease Value

Let’s say, for example, you own a customized Dodge Neon. You’ve spent a lot of money on a high-end sound system, large wheels, a suped up exhaust system and a special suspension. When you go to sell it you may find an extremely small market for your car. Why isn’t your phone ringing off the hook? You’ve created such a highly customized vehicle that your market of potential buyers is significantly reduced. And, within that niche of people who might buy it, you’ve narrowed things even further to people who want to buy a car customized exactly how you like it. It’s difficult to sell these types of vehicles if you are in a hurry. Make sure you strip back to its original parts if you have them to make the car more desirable to a larger group of people.

When you’re ready to sell, bring your vehicle to Alan Jay Automotive Network in Sebring for a pre-sale inspection and tune-up or have your car appraised as a trade-in on any of the new or used cars, trucks, and SUV’s in our inventory.

2011
06/14
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Top 5 Car Chase Scenes

People everywhere are in agreement, car chase scenes in movies are just plain awesome. Car scenes are a great way to experience the thrill of the chase without the associated dangers of being involved in one. We all know we’ve experienced the urge to zoom down the highway at 100 miles an hour zipping through traffic, but let’s face it, as exhilarating at it may be, it’s also extremely dangerous. Let’s leave it to the professionals and watch from the safety and comfort of our living rooms. Here are five of the top car chase scenes that if you haven’t seen, you should make it your business to do so.

 

1. The Fast and the Furious

The first installment of The Fast and the Furious debuted in 2001 and portrayed an undercover cop who infiltrates the world of street racers in Los Angeles. This film captivated audiences with its high speed chases and tricked out vehicles.

 

2. The Italian Job

The remake of the 1969 The Italian Job made its debut in 2003 and astounded audiences with its iconic Mini Cooper chase scene. The film follows a gang of robbers who, in an effort to pull off the heist of their lives, create the largest Los Angeles’ traffic jam in history.

 

3. Bad Boys II

Also making its debut in 2003, Bad Boys II follows two loose-cannon narcotic cops who are investigating the flow of Ecstasy in to Florida. The film captivated audiences with its multiple, exhilarating car chases.

 

4. Transformers

The first film in the Transformers franchise made its debut in 2007 and astounded audiences everywhere with its motion-packed scenes and iconic Camaro car chase. The movie follows Sam Witwicky, an average teenager who finds himself in the middle of the ultimate war for power of two extraterrestrial clans, the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons.

 

5. Bullitt

This 1968 film follows an all guts, no glory San Francisco cop who is determined to find the underworld kingpin that killed a star witness in his protection. This classic film won an Oscar, 9 other awards, and received 6 additional nominations. Bullitt has earned itself a spot in history as one of the all-time best car chase movies ever made.

 

There you have it! Five of the top car chase scenes ever made. But, just as we all love car chase scenes, we all have our favorite car chase movies. If your favorite wasn’t included in this list, comment below and let us know what your top picks are.

 

Honorable mentions: Gone in 60 Seconds, Speed, Hancock, The Bourne Identity, The Matrix Reloaded, The Dark Knight, The Transporter, Cannonball Run, Smokey and the Bandit, The French Connection, Goldfinger, Terminator 2, and Blues Brothers.

 

 

 

2011
06/01
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Keeping Your Cool When it’s Hot

Article Courtesy of Highlands Today By JOE SEELIG

 SEBRING – If you’re looking for a place to cool down for a little while, the Sebring High School pool opens today, and will be open seven days a week; Monday through Friday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Pool hours will change once school lets out for the summer. The pool will remain open during a set schedule through the end of August and possibly into September, said pool manager and swim coach Pat Caton on Thursday.

“A lot depends on how many patrons we continue to have after school starts,” she said. “We hope people will come try us out. We have a deep end with diving boards, locker room facilities, shade covers when parents and grandparents bring their kids to swim and we have snow cones.”

Caton said she came to Sebring in 1983, and has been in charge of the Sebring pool since about 1985. When I came in I was a life guard and swim coach,” she said.

Over the summer, activities at the pool will include water aerobics and swimming lessons. The youngest swimmer they’ve had for lessons was 8 or 9 months old. The oldest to take lessons was in his 60s, Caton recalled.

A life guard is on duty while the pool is open.

For more information on hours and classes see the information box in this newspaper or call 471-5500 (EXT. 229) and leave a message for Caton.

Other area high school pools will also open soon. See the information box in this newspaper for more information.

Family YMCA

 The Highlands County Family YMCA, where the pool is open pretty much year round, seven days a week, is another great place to cool down.

For $35 per session for members and $45 for non-members, swim lessons are currently offered on Mondays and Thursdays, said Greg Smith, the facility’s aquatic director.

Close to 250 people per day use the pools, Smith said.

“We have the 10-lane lap pool which right now is staying at about 82 degrees,” he said. “Then our smaller pool, which is our warm water exercise pool, it stays between 86 and 89 degrees.

“Then we have our splash pad, and the kids can really get out there and have fun with it, too. It has shoots water up through the ground and has a pole in the middle that shoots water down on everybody. It’s the only one in the area.”

Claudine Miltenberger, 76, and her friend Joyce Books, 81, live in Orange Villas, south of Sebring. In the summer they’re in the pool every day, Miltenberger said.

Oddly Books is from Elkhart, Ind., and Miltenberger is from Goshen, Ind., but they lived about 10 miles apart and never knew each other up north.

It’s a great way to get some exercise without putting stress on their joints and they stay relatively cool at the same time.

“Right now we’re here every day for two hours we walk in the pool,” said Miltenberger, waving her arms underwater and keeping her balance. “It’s a very nice place. Everybody is really nice here. We really enjoy it.”

“We’ve been coming a couple of weeks and it’s really dropped my blood pressure way down,” said Books.

In the old days people could run in front of a lawn sprinkler or sometimes they’d open up a fire hydrant to keep cool.

Miltenberger said sometimes she and her husband Jim go to Barnies Coffee and Tea Company, in the Lakeshore Mall, to walk around and to get into the cool.

The mall also has a nice game room for the kids to play.

First summer

The Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring Improvement District has a relatively new lagoon-type pool at its Recreation Center, which opened in September 2010. The facility has a pool attendant who can watch the pool by video camera, but there is no life guard on duty.

In the winter they close at dusk, which is about 5 p.m., as long as the outside air temperature is 65 degrees or above. But in the summer it is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. as long as the weather is nice.

“This is our first summer,” said Christi Wolf, community services director. “It’s a neat thing because it’s one of those amenities that can bring people together.”

They keep the pool at 86 degrees. But it doesn’t really matter when it’s 92 degrees out, she said.

“Because for aerobics that’s what you need for the Arthritis Foundation,” Wolf said.

Pool use fees differ for residents and non-residents. Day passes are available.

District resident, Marol Snapp said in April she tried to come down to the pool almost every day on week days. This is the place to come and cool off, she said.

“I love it,” she said. “It’s beautiful; it’s always clean; it’s fabulous and the design of the pool is great.”

Strike!

 

How about the bowling alley for a place to cool down? Walking through the double doors at the Kegel Bowling Center, visitors are greeted by a blast of cool air.

“We have to keep it cool, especially for the lanes,” said General Manager Joy Dytyniak on Wednesday. “It’s 72 degrees in here.”

Starting today through Aug. 31, they are having a “Kids Bowl Free” program. Kids can bowl two games free a day, Tuesday – Saturday, all summer, Dytyniak said.

“They register online, kids 18 or under, and they will receive every Sunday night in the email, a coupon with their name on it for every day that week, Tuesday through Saturday, from the time we open until 5 p.m.,” she said. “They get to bowl two free games. They just have to purchase the rental shows which are $3-plus tax.”

For more information call Kegel at 382-2643.

Jump in the lake

 

There are lots of area beaches for sunbathers and swimmers to enjoy.

Tiffiny Gregor, 23, of Sebring, who works at the Island View Restaurant and Pub, said when she wants to stay cool, she stays inside. But her tan says otherwise.

For fun on her days off she and her friend go to the beach on Lake Grassy, in Lake Placid, or they go out on a boat. She’s not as much interested in staying cool as she is in having fun in the sun.

“I love this weather,” she said. “I’m a Floridian, so it doesn’t bother me.”

POOL INFORMATION

Sebring High School: The pool is open Monday thru Friday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., while school is open.

Once school is out, on June 9, hours will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week and 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The cost is $2 per swimmer. But there are big savings for frequent swimmers with family passes at $50 for the first swimmer and $15 for each additional family member.

Water Aerobics will be held Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.; the first water aerobics class Thursday, May 5.

The cost is $2 for an hour workout with Ricki Albritton, a certified instructor. If you have a Summer Swim Pass the class is only $1

Swimming lessons at Sebring High School will be provided for all!

•Session 1 begins June 13 – June 24

•Session 2 begins June 27 – July 8

•Session 3 begins July 11 – July 22

•Session 4 begins July 25 – August 5

Registration will be Wednesday, May 17 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday May 28 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and May 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the front office at Sebring High School.

For more information please call 471-5500 (EXT. 229) and leave a message for Ms. Pat.

Avon Park High School: The pool will open for the summer on June 7 until Aug. 20, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. The pool is closed on Sunday.

The cost is $2 per person, per visit. Family passes are available at $50 for the first swimmer and $15 per person for each additional swimmer.

Dates for swim lesson sessions are the same as at Sebring High School. Call Avon Park High School at

452-4311 for more information, and to pick up the paperwork.

Lake Placid High School will have an open swim Monday through Friday starting May 2, through June 10, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The cost is $2 per person and season passes are available for $50 for one person or $150 for a family pass.

Starting June 13 through Aug. 5, swim lessons will be offered for $25 per person for the first week and $20 per person for the second week.

Contact Athletic Director Cindy Rivers at 699-5010 for more information and pool hours.

Highlands County Family YMCA: Pool hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday – Thursday; Friday, 6 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to

4:45 p.m.

Swimming lessons at the Highlands County Family YMCA begin June 13 through Aug. 18, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. No lessons are offered on the weekends.

For more information contact the YMCA at 382-9622.

Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring: Pool hours 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week depending on the weather.

Residents’ annual rate for an individual is $40; $100 for a family. Resident daily rates start at $2 for kids 2-15 years of age; $3 for an adult 16 years and older and $10 for a family living in the household.

Non-resident rates are $200 annually for an individual and $350 for a family. For non-residents under 2, the daily rate is $2. For children 2-15 the daily rate is $10. For adults 16 and older the price is $20 per person.

The daily rate for a family is $50.

 

For original article visit: http://www2.highlandstoday.com/content/2011/may/01/keeping-your-cool-when-its-hot/

2011
06/01
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How Often Should Wiper Blades Be Replaced?

Wiper blades are one of the most neglected parts on a vehicle. Many wiper blades are in bad condition due to being exposed to the elements all the time. They can be broken, cracked, dried out or ripped and certainly will not do a sufficient job when the rain comes.

90% of all driving decisions are based on a clear view of the road. This means it is imperative to keep a clean windshield and if it’s not then to be prepared with quality wipers. A driver can tell when his or her wipers need to be replaced if the blades make noises when in use, when streaking occurs or they do not provide a clean wipe.

The consensus among car mechanics is that wiper blades should be replaced every 6-12 months for optimum performance and driving visibility. Natural rubber deteriorates over time. Halogen-hardened rubber as well as synthetic rubber provides longer usage life for blades, but eventually all materials will begin to fall apart. 

Both cold and hot weather can affect blade life, too. Freezing temperatures makes rubber hard and brittle, which increases the tendency to crack and split. The blade holders can also become filled with ice and snow, preventing the holder from distributing spring tension evenly over the blade. The blade will “freeze up” and leaves streaks as it skips across the glass.

Hot weather dries out wiper blades, which also leaves them cracked and brittle. Constant exposure to the sun is an unavoidable situation; however you can be aware to check for signs of wear.

Any blade that’s chattering, streaking, cracked, torn or nicked should be replaced immediately.

 

 

 

Check Your Blades

 

A simple check is to use your car windshield sprayers. If the blades are in poor condition they will not wipe the washing fluid clean. This will also give you an opportunity to check your windshield washer system. Does the spray hit the windshield where it is supposed to? If not, the nozzles need adjusting. Do both squirters work? If not, a nozzle may be clogged with dirt or a hose may be kinked/loose. Does the washer pump deliver an adequate stream of solvent? If not, the vehicle may have a weak washer pump, or a clogged, kinked or loose hose. Most washer tanks have a screen to filter out debris that could clog or damage the pump. This may be a reason it does not work as well. After you’ve checked the front windshield wipers make sure you check the rear window wiper if you have one. This is often the most neglected one, but just as important as the front two. If the rear does not have sprayers to test it you can manually spray water on to test.

 

 

 

Replacement Blades


It is fairly simply and straight forward to replace wiper blades yourself. You can replace just the blade with a refill or the entire blade assembly. Refills will save you money over new blade assemblies. If you are changing the whole blade assembly most will come with an adapter to fit the arms on your vehicle. Also, most new blades will show what vehicle make and models it will fit on. It is very important to look for this to determine blade sizing and installation. The old blades pull or push off the arm by pressing a release button or pin on the wiper holder.

If you are replacing the blade only with a refill, the old blade can be removed by squeezing the locking tags in at the end of the blade so it will slip out of the holder. Be sure the replacement blade is the same length and width as the original. If you live in a cold climate, you might consider installing a set of “winter blades” on your vehicle. These have an additional feature that prevents ice and snow from building up within the blade.

 

 

2011
06/01
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HOW TO PROPERLY CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on tire-related crashes, the leading cause of tire blowouts is under-inflation. Aside for the potential for car accidents, under-inflation can cause negative effects on your vehicle’s handling and can reduce the overall life of your tires. Additionally, under-inflation increases the stress on your tires leading to tread separation and tread wear.

 In order to protect your tires from under and over-inflation you can follow these air pressure tips:

 AIR PRESSURE TIPS

 Follow Manufacturer Guidelines

 If you’re unsure what the recommended tire inflation pressure for your tires are, you can locate recommended pressures as follows:

  • On the vehicle information sticker that can often be found on the driver’s door jamb
  • A label located on the glove compartment door
  • Printed in the vehicle owners manual

 Keep in mind that the inflation pressure shown on the tire’s sidewall displays the maximum pressure, which is based on the tire’s maximum load capacity. It is best to use the recommended pressure located on the above recommendations, which is based on the normal load of a passenger vehicle.  If you are unsure of the recommended pressure, or cannot locate the information, it is best to your local mechanic.

 Valves and Valve Caps

Valves on your tires must be free from cracks as a deteriorated valve can cause air to escape from your tires. If you purchase new tires or notice a cracked or missing valve, replace all tire valves to avoid tire pressure loss. Valve caps must be tightly closed to prevent the valve from leaking.

 Check Pressure & Adjust Once a Month

Tires lose on average 1 psi, per month. Keeping this rate in mind, it is important to check tire pressure at least once a month or before long road trips.  

 Check Spare Tire Pressure

Check your air pressure on your spare regularly, as your spare could also lose tire pressure with time. Avoid being stranded and having to pay for a tow truck.

 Check Tires Cold

Check your air pressure when your tires are cold as tires become hot after driving. This is best done before you’ve driven over a mile or when your car has been parked for at least three hours. Keep in mind that air pressure goes up in warm weather and down in cold weather.

 Keep a Tire Pressure Gauge

Purchase a quality tire pressure gauge and check it for accuracy with your local mechanic. Keep the gauge in your glove compartment and test it periodically to ensure it is reading accurately.

2011
06/01
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