Category Archives: Tips and Tricks

fuel tank

Look, just keep your tank as full as possible, trust us

Why is it bad to drive on an empty gas tank? 

Hopefully, vehicle owners understand the importance of oil changes and regular maintenance in the 21st century, even if their cars might have been built in the last one. While cars, trucks and SUVs are more reliable than ever, there is still a hidden danger that lurks under the surface. So, why is it bad to drive on an empty gas tank? Well, the number one reason is that, eventually, you’ll get stranded somewhere inconvenient and possibly dangerous. A close second is that repeatedly running your gas tank to the bottom could cause major damage that will result in very expensive repair bills. Let’s take a closer look at some things you should know.  Read the rest of this entry >>

used cars for sale

You can avoid buying a lemon if you know what to look for

What should I look for when buying a used car? 

Carizma Motors is a pre-owned vehicle dealer. Each car, truck, van or SUV in our inventory is inspected to make sure it is as safe and reliable as possible. That sort of thing should be at the top of your list when deciding where to buy a vehicle. If you do decide to go out on your own and buy through a private sale, there are some things you should know. If you’re now wondering, ‘What should I look for when buying a used car,’ you’re in luck. Our most important tips include making sure you always look at a car during the daylight; examine all the sheet metal seems to make sure they are even and in line and finally sit in the car and use your nose to find troubling smells like mildew. These videos will help you come up with a checklist. Anyone with additional questions should contact a Carizma Motors product expert today.  Read the rest of this entry >>

car trade-in

Put yourself in a position to get the most for your trade-in

How do I boost the trade-in value for my car? 

Most people coming to Carizma Motors will be trading in their current vehicle to help them purchase their next one. We want to give you the best deal possible if you’ll be going this route and our team has come up with a few ways to answer the question, ‘How do I boost the trade-in value for my car?’ Depending on your current vehicle’s condition, you could have quite the hill to climb. However, the good news is that most of these things are pretty simple and may only require a little bit of money to be spent getting ready for the trade-in appraisal. Let’s take a look at a few things you might want to know.  Read the rest of this entry >>

Driving on a Spare Tire

Are you prepared to drive on a spare tire?

What is the farthest you should drive on a spare tire? 

The first time most people think about their tires is when they experience a flat one. While there are things vehicle owners can do to get the most mileage out of their tires as possible, but there is little defense against picking up a nail in the middle of the road. Once you’ve put the donut on your vehicle, you aren’t quite out of the woods yet. So, what is the farthest you should drive on a spare tire? For most popular passenger vehicles, the spare tire should be used for no more than 50 miles of driving at speeds of no more than 50 miles per hour. There are a few other things you should know, let’s take a look at them.  Read the rest of this entry >>

Used Porsche interior

Your pre-owned vehicle can feature outstanding technology – if you know where to look

What can I do with a car’s infotainment system? 

The biggest addition to the automotive world in the last 10 years has been smartphone-compatible infotainment systems. There are few technologies that have progressed as quickly as what is found with mobile devices. Integrating that technology into a vehicle’s multimedia capability has been nothing short of a game-changer. Just about every automaker operating in the United States offers this capability in one form or another. Additionally, each automaker has different features and functions that can be available. However, our team of product experts working at Carizma Motors thought it would be helpful to explain some of the broadly available things access to Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ can do. Let’s take a closer look.  Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of a person standing in front of a vehicle.

Everyone needs a little help making a decision sometimes

How do I pick out an SUV? 

Crossover SUVs have become the dominant vehicle platform in the United States over the last 15 to 20 years. Just about every automaker offers a few models – and all of them are very evenly matched in terms of performance features. So, if you’re wondering, ‘How do I pick out an SUV,’ you may be in for quite a journey. For most people, the most important feature a crossover SUV can offer is passenger seating. Obviously, that makes the first decision a person needs to make is whether to choose a two- or a three-row model. Our team of Carizma Motors product experts help people through this process every day. If you’re looking to get a leg-up on your next purchase, take a look at these videos. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.  Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of a turbocharger

Turbocharging isn’t just for muscle cars anymore

How does turbocharging work? 

In the old days of automobile design, engineers had to choose between fuel economy and performance. In the 21st century, nobody needs to choose one at the expense of the other. The secret to this sorcery isn’t magic, it’s science – commonly referred to as turbocharging. So, how does turbocharging work? All internal combustion engines work the same way, air and fuel are combined before being ignited by a spark. This may seem like a lofty subject, but it’s actually quite simple. Carizma Motors has a vast and diverse inventory of vehicles, more and more will be equipped with turbocharged engines. Our team of product experts thought it would be helpful for people to understand how this technology works.  Read the rest of this entry >>

mini car on a note

Do you have enough saved for a downpayment?

How much should my used car down payment be? 

There are not many people who can walk into a car dealership and buy a vehicle with cash. It simply isn’t a reasonable expectation. However, that means that Carizma Motors customers will need to obtain some kind of help financing their vehicle purchase. If you’re in the market for a pre-owned vehicle, but you might be in a tight financial situation, you might be wondering, ‘How much should my used car down payment be?’ According to the automotive experts at Edmunds.com, people looking to financing a used car, truck or SUV should aim to put down at least 10 percent of the purchase price when they’re working on getting a loan. Our product expert team works with people who might be in a less-than-perfect credit situation. Let’s take a look at a few things you might need to know.  Read the rest of this entry >>

car loan

What are my options if I finance a vehicle?

Can you shop around for car loans?

It is time for a new vehicle. This can be both an exciting as well as an exhausting process. You have to decide on a make and model, new or used, the number of miles and so much more! One other thing that you have to think about is paying for the vehicle outright or financing it. Can you shop around for car loans? Yes! You absolutely can shop around for car loans. Learn more below.

Read the rest of this entry >>
loan for car

Where should I get a loan from for my vehicle?

Is it better to get an auto loan from a bank or dealership?

It is time to purchase a new vehicle which can be both an exciting and stressful time. You are looking at financing your new vehicle, but you are questioning, “is it better to get an auto loan from a bank or dealership?” You have come to the right place. While we will not specifically answer this question for you, we will give you things to think about with both options so that you can make an informed decision.

Read the rest of this entry >>