It’s Child Passenger Safety Week

Child Passenger Safety Week is today, September 17^th through the 22^nd.

Car crashes are the number one killer of children 1 to 12 years old in the United States. The best way to protect them in the car is to put them in the right seat, at the right time, and use it the right way.

There are so many car seat types and models, how do you know which one is right for your child? The right car seat or booster fits your child and your car, and is one you will use correctly every time you travel. Not only will your child ride as safely as possible, you will be establishing the foundation for a lifelong habit of seat belt use every time your child travels. Knowledge is power. Learn more to protect your child from injury and death in a crash.

Learn more about child passenger safety: http://www.safercar.gov/parents/carseats.htm#

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Greensburg Oktoberfest

Greensburg Oktoberfest will be this Saturday, September 15th at Hempfield Park. It will raise money for a heart transplant. .There will be beer from the Rivertowne Pour House. Beer tasting requires a valid photo ID and a $20 donation. The event will start at 3 PM and end at 10 PM. The will be beer, food, Bavarian girls, 50/50 raffles, silent auctions and more.  Tickets Available At The Door.

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Buying vs Leasing vehicles

When it comes to buying or leasing a car the options can be confusing. To help you make an informed decision we have provided the information below.

Buying

Who Owns It

Whether you pay for the car with cash, or finance it and make monthly payments, either way it’s yours. Of course, if you’re financing it, you’ll have to meet the obligations the lender requires, like a certain down payment amount and timely monthly payments. If you don’t, they have the right to repossess it.

Up-front Costs

If you’re financing it, the bank will probably request a down payment. You can also trade-in another vehicle and use any equity towards your down payment. The amount of the down payment is usually based on the lender’s requirements and your credit score.

Future Value

Your vehicle will be worth whatever you can sell it for in the future and that depends on how well you maintain it. (Be smart and protect your investment with regular scheduled maintenance by a factory-authorized facility!)

End of Payments

Once you’ve paid off what you owe on your contract, that’s it. Your vehicle is 100% yours. The lending institution will send you a Lien Release as proof that the vehicle is completely paid off and all yours.

Leasing

Who Owns It

You do not own the car when you lease. You’re paying for the use of the vehicle, but the finance institution that you leased it through actually owns it. This is usually why you pay less per month in a lease than if you were to buy the car. .

Up-front Costs

Leases often do not require any type of a down payment. All you usually have to pay is the first month’s payment, a security deposit, the acquisition fee and other fees and taxes. But, as with a purchase, if you want to lower your monthly payments you can always pay more upfront.

Future Value

In most leases you don’t end up owning it so you don’t end up selling it. That’s the financial institution’s job. Although you may have mileage limits and wear and tear guidelines that, if you exceed them, could cost you extra money when you turn your vehicle back in.

End of Payments

Most people return the vehicle at the end of the lease term. But some like to purchase it during their lease or at the end. Others like to trade it in before their lease is over. Just ask us about these different options before signing any paperwork and we’ll make sure you have your lease set up the way you want it.

Best Cars to Lease

The best cars to lease are those with the best book value after the term of the lease. Since they depreciate less, you pay less. Review the lease ratings to see which cars retain their value.

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Arts and Crafts Colonial Festival at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds

The Colonial Festival starts Friday, August 1st and runs through Labor Day from 10AM to 6PM at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds. It will feature exhibitors from 20 states!  Browse and shop for unique treasures such as floral designs, embellished clothing, scented candles, stained glass, jewelry, decorative painting on various mediums, functional and decorative wood, pet treats & collars, seasonal home decorations, personalized ornaments, ceramics, flags, gourmet pre-packaged foods, dips & drink mixes, candies, fudge, kettle korn, cinnamon roasted almonds and much, much more!

The Latrobe Volunteer Fire Department Pipes & Drums will perform Saturday & Sunday only!  More festival features include the Carpenter's Battery, CSA military encampment and living history demonstrations.  Free musical performances by Beaver Creek and Acoustic Shadows of the Blue & Gray (Sat, Sun, Mon) and the Westland Flute Choir (Sat & Sun only).

Kids can have their faces painted by colonial clowns, Glitter Dot & Dapper!  Feed the animals at the Greenfield Farms petting zoo (Sat, Sun & Mon)!  Enjoy the 'Wild World of Animals' show and 'The Bug Lady' shows on Saturday & Sunday!  The whole family can enjoy wagon rides!  Don't miss the Puppenmeister puppet shows--four shows each day!

Admission:
Adults $6.00  
Senior Citizens (65+) $5.50
Kids (6-12) $1.00  Under 6 FREE

For more information please visit: http://familyfestivals.com/Colonial-Festival.html

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Do gas-saving devices really work?

Garage mechanics and auto enthusiasts are likely to be familiar with a certain type of advertisement. Appearing in car magazines and throughout car-focused Internet pages, these ads offer a range of products with a similar claim: that by bolting on, plugging in or pouring Product X into your vehicle, you'll experience an amazing boost in mileage efficiency.

Mileage-boosting gadgets have been around for years, and they seem to make a comeback every time gas prices spike. While the packaging may change to fit the times, one large question hangs over these products: Do any of them actually work?

The answer, all too often, is no. Many so-called fuel-saving devices are simply well-packaged hoaxes that base their claims on questionable science and offer little or no change in a vehicle's performance. In some cases, these devices can actually hurt mileage and cause engine damage.

So how can you avoid scams while getting the most out of your vehicle? A good first step is to learn the facts behind various mileage-boosting claims, to help you determine if a product you encounter is real or a fuel-saving hoax.

Mileage-boosting devices typically fall into one of three general categories: airflow manipulators, fuel-burn enhancers, and fuel or oil additives. First, we'll look at airflow manipulators.

The flow of air into your car's engine can play a big role in its efficiency. Modern cars are designed so that a precise amount of air enters the engine, is mixed with fuel vapor, and then flows into the cylinders for combustion. A number of devices on the market claim to enhance this process, often through the use of a vortex generator added to the intake. The claim behind these devices is that they'll improve the mixing of fuel and air, helping increase efficiency and horsepower.

The truth of the matter is that these devices often disrupt airflow, changing the intake conditions from what engineers intended. Modern cars' engine management computers compensate for this by adjusting fuel flow -- in some cases, by injecting more fuel than necessary to account for the altered airflow. Tests have suggested that these devices might also serve as restrictors, reducing the engine's horsepower

Article courtesy of: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-saving-devices/gas-saving-devices-work.htm

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The Key to a Long-Lasting Vehicle

Basic car care is the key to a long-lasting vehicle, improving its safety and dependability, says the Car Care Council.

“Neglected vehicle care almost always means much higher costs down the line in the form of more extensive repairs or lost resale value,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Following a routine maintenance program makes financial sense, extending useful vehicle life and helping avoid costly repairs down the road.”

The Car Care Council recommends 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your car operating at its best for the long haul:

1. Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.

1. Check the hoses and belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of excessive wear.

1. Check the battery and replace if necessary. Make sure the connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free.

1. Check the brake system annually and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.

1. Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay.

1. Schedule a tune-up to help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.

1. Check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons such as defrosting.

1. Inspect the steering and suspension system annually including shock absorbers, struts and chassis parts such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.

1. Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.

1. Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.

The Car Care Council has introduced a newcustomserviceschedule. The personalized schedule and e-mail reminder service is a free resource to help motorists drive smart, save money and make informed decisions.

Article courtesy of: http://www.carcare.org/2012/04/car-care-the-key-to-a-long-lasting-vehicle/

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How to Use Jumper Cables

Owning a working set of jumper cables -- and knowing how to use them -- is a must for drivers. Since using jumper cables incorrectly can be dangerous, follow every step precisely. Most jumper cables have an instruction card or label so you can make sure you're connecting them the right way.

● Find a car to serve as the boosting car.

● Park the two cars -- the dead car and the boosting car -- close to one another, making sure that they're not touching each other.

● Make sure both cars' engines are turned off, and both cars are in park.

● Clamp the red jumper cable (i.e. the positive cable) to the dead car's positive battery terminal, which is marked with a "+." Make sure that the clamp is firmly connected to the battery.

● Clamp the other end of the red jumper cable to the booster car's positive battery terminal, also marked with a "+." Make sure that the clamp is firmly connected to the battery.

● Clamp the black jumper cable (i.e. the negative cable) to the booster car's negative battery terminal, which is marked with a " - ". Make sure that the clamp is firmly connected to the battery.

● Clamp the other end of the black jumper cable to a bare, metal surface on the engine of the dead car. This can be a bolt or a screw. This provides grounding for the jump start [source: Brauer].

● Ensure that the jumper cables are not touching any engine parts.

● Start the booster car's engine and let it idle for a few minutes.

● Start the dead car's engine and let it idle for a few minutes.

● Disconnect the black jumper cable from the once-stalled engine. Then disconnect the black jumper cable from the booster car.

● Remove the red jumper cable from the booster car. Then remove the red jumper cable from the once-stalled car.

If this process doesn't work, the dead car's problem may not be with the battery. That's when it's time to call a tow truck or roadside service provider.

Article courtesy of: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/how-to-use-jumper-cables.htm

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