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A woman wearing a medical facemask in her car during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Top 5 Quarantine Car Maintenance Tips

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A woman wearing a medical facemask in her car during the COVID-19 pandemic.

TOP 5 QUARANTINE CAR MAINTENANCE TIPS

While the world stays at home during the COVID-19 crisis, it is still important that your car gets the care and attention it would normally receive. Lack of use can cause long-term damage, so here are the top five ways to keep your car running at peak performance:

A woman wearing a medical facemask in her car during the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Go for a Weekly Drive

Although there are not many places to go, a quick drive around the neighborhood is still beneficial to the health of your car. Weekly drives will help keep your battery charged and will prevent rust from building up on your brakes. Going for a ride around the block is also a great way to safely enjoy some time out of your house or apartment.

A fuel nozzle placed in the gas tank of a car.

2. Maintain a Full Tank of Gas

Fill your tank! Now is a great time to fill your tank as prices continue drop. Not only will you save money, but you will also save your tank from accumulating condensation, which can negatively impact the longevity of your engine. Remember, a full tank a gas can turn into a liability if you let it set for too long. Make sure to follow tip number one to prevent your gas from oxidizing and going bad.

2. Maintain a Full Tank of Gas

Fill your tank! Now is a great time to fill your tank as prices continue drop. Not only will you save money, but you will also save your tank from accumulating condensation, which can negatively impact the longevity of your engine. Remember, a full tank a gas can turn into a liability if you let it set for too long. Make sure to follow tip number one to prevent your gas from oxidizing and going bad.

A fuel nozzle placed in the gas tank of a car.

3. Keep Your Maintenance Schedule Intact

Even though you are not putting as many miles on your car, keeping your maintenance schedule intact is a must. Regular oil changes are still recommended since oil will deteriorate if the car is idle for an extended period of time. Please reference your car’s owner’s manual for the recommended time between oil changes.

4. Check Your Tire Pressure

Tire pressure can still fluctuate whether you are driving your car or not. It is necessary to check your tire pressure regularly to ensure tires are properly inflated. A lack driving can cause tires to deflate, which impacts the safety and efficiency of your vehicle.

4. Check Your Tire Pressure

Tire pressure can still fluctuate whether you are driving your car or not. It is necessary to check your tire pressure regularly to ensure tires are properly inflated. A lack driving can cause tires to deflate, which impacts the safety and efficiency of your vehicle.

A man washing his car outside on a sunny day.

5. Wash Your Hands, Wash Your Car

On a nice day, spend some time outside and wash your car. Whether your car is being driven or just parked in the driveway, natural elements can still damage the exterior of the vehicle if not properly treated. Be sure to rid your car of any dirt, pollen and debris that has built up overtime. If your parked car is directly in the sun, consider parking it in the garage or buy a cover to preserve the paint.

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Top 5 Winter Car Maintenance Tips

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TOP 5 WINTER CAR MAINTENANCE TIPS

Even though the holidays are in the rear view mirror, winter is still going strong in the Northeast. With icy roads and dropping temperatures, keeping your car running at peak performance can be challenging. Cold weather can affect everything from the health of your tires to your fuel lines. As you keep your eyes on the road ahead towards warmer weather, make sure you don’t overlook these important winter car maintenance tips:

1. Check Your Tire Pressure

Weather can be a significant factor in the health of your tires, especially the cold winter temperatures. For every 10 degrees the temperature drops, tire air pressure falls one pound per square inch of pressure. Low tire pressure causes more wear and tear on the tires, ultimately lowering your fuel efficiency. Make sure to keep your tires at the recommended PSI, which can be referenced in your car’s owner manual.

2. Replace Any Worn Tires

The tread on your tires allow them to grip the road while driving. With slick and slippery road conditions during winter, it is crucial to replace any tires that lack sufficient tread. Replacing worn tires will maximize your car’s performance during these unpredictable winter road conditions, as well as improve the safety of the vehicle.

2. Replace Any Worn Tires

The tread on your tires allow them to grip the road while driving. With slick and slippery road conditions during winter, it is crucial to replace any tires that lack sufficient tread. Replacing worn tires will maximize your car’s performance during these unpredictable winter road conditions, as well as improve the safety of the vehicle.

3. Monitor Your Heater and Defroster

Make sure that your car heater and defroster continue to be in working condition. As obvious as it may seem, monitoring these functions of your car will keep you safe while driving this winter. It is important to give your car time to warm up and completely defrost any ice that may be on your windshield and windows. A frozen windshield will obstruct your visibility, putting yourself and other drivers at risk.

4. Prevent Freezing of Fuel Lines and Engine’s Cooling System

It is important to monitor the amount of fuel and antifreeze that is in your car. Keeping your gasoline level steady will prevent any accumulated water from freezing inside the tank. Similarly, maintaining a proper amount of antifreeze will prevent the water in your engine’s cooling system from freezing and causing serious damage to your car.

4. Prevent Freezing of Fuel Lines and Engine’s Cooling System

It is important to monitor the amount of fuel and antifreeze that is in your car. Keeping your gasoline level steady will prevent any accumulated water from freezing inside the tank. Similarly, maintaining a proper amount of antifreeze will prevent the water in your engine’s cooling system from freezing and causing serious damage to your car.

5. Stock Your Car with the Essentials

Make sure your car is fully equipped for any winter weather. You should always have an ice scraper and snow brush available to completely clean off your car before you start driving. Also, regularly replace your windshield wipers to keep your windshield streak-free and improve visibility during any potential snowfall.

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Top 5 Money-Saving Driving Tips

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TOP 5 MONEY-SAVING DRIVING TIPS

When purchasing or leasing a new vehicle, it is important to remember that a vehicle costs more than just the price tag on the window. Gas, insurance, and routine maintenance (i.e. oil changes) quickly add up and can consume a significant portion of your monthly budget. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2022 Consumer Expenditures study, transportation costs increased 12.2 percent (or $1,334) over the previous year. Vehicle expenses (not including the actual purchasing or leasing of the vehicle) cost consumers an average of $6,954 per year. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize driving expenses. Here are our top five money-saving driving tips:

1. Find the Cheapest Gas in Your Area

The purchase of gas tends to be very similar to the purchase of groceries: both are necessities and tend to be purchased on a weekly basis. However, the way consumers go about purchasing both is very different. Consumers research the dynamic pricing of groceries each week to learn which store is offering the best deals and sales, but rarely research which gas station has the lowest price. There are many apps, including GasBuddy, that allow you to instantly compare gas prices in your area in the palm of your hand. So next time before you fill up, make sure you are paying the lowest price for gas.

2. Avoid Idling

Even if you are paying the lowest price, there is no financial recovery for wasting gas. Idling, the act of leaving your engine running while the vehicle is parked, wastes about 1/5 to 7/10 of a gallon of gas per hour. Idling is also detrimental to your engine’s health, as well as to the environment. Idling cars produce as much pollution as moving cars, per the Environmental Defense Fund.

2. Avoid Idling

Even if you are paying the lowest price, there is no financial recovery for wasting gas. Idling, the act of leaving your engine running while the vehicle is parked, wastes about 1/5 to 7/10 of a gallon of gas per hour. Idling is also detrimental to your engine’s health, as well as to the environment. Idling cars produce as much pollution as moving cars, per the Environmental Defense Fund.

3. Don’t Speed or Slam on the Gas

Speed kills…your fuel efficiency. That’s right, speeding and rapidly accelerating do more damage than good when trying to save on your driving expenses. According the U.S. Department of Energy, both aggressive driving tactics can lower your gas mileage by up to 30% at highway speeds and 40% in stop-and-go traffic. Furthermore, gas mileage also decreases when your vehicle reaches speeds above 50 mph. Expect to burn an extra $0.19 per gallon of gas for every 5 mph you drive over 50 mph. From a cost-cutting and safety perspective, it’s better to ease into acceleration and stick to the posted speed limit.

4. Make Sure Your Tires are Properly Inflated

If you find yourself at the gas station more often than normal, it might be time to check your tire pressure. Low tire pressure can cause lower fuel efficiency, as well as extra wear and tear on your tires. Low tire pressure can result from cold weather, over inflation, slow leaking punctures, and osmosis (natural passing of air through the tire over time). Be sure to reference your car’s owner manual to ensure your tires are inflated to the recommended PSI. Also, be sure to inspect the tread of your tires to confirm that they are still in good shape.

4. Make Sure Your Tires are Properly Inflated

If you find yourself at the gas station more often than normal, it might be time to check your tire pressure. Low tire pressure can cause lower fuel efficiency, as well as extra wear and tear on your tires. Low tire pressure can result from cold weather, over inflation, slow leaking punctures, and osmosis (natural passing of air through the tire over time). Be sure to reference your car’s owner manual to ensure your tires are inflated to the recommended PSI. Also, be sure to inspect the tread of your tires to confirm that they are still in good shape.

5. Don’t Overpay for Insurance

Like shopping for groceries and now gas, make sure you are not overpaying for car insurance. Shopping for the right policy might seem overwhelming at first, but resources like The Zebra allow you to compare quotes easily and efficiently. Be sure to also ask your insurance company about any potential discounts for organization affiliations, safe driving history, specific car features, and complete safety training.

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Leasing 101: Terms to Know Edition

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LEASING 101: TERMS TO KNOW EDITION

Shopping for a new car can be a stressful experience, especially when deciding whether to buy or lease the new vehicle you pick out. While both options have their own distinct benefits, leasing a car may be the best decision if you are looking for more flexibility. Some of the benefits of leasing include:

Lower Monthly Payments

Leasing a car will almost always provide you with a lower monthly payment because you are paying for the depreciation of the vehicle that occurs during the term of your lease, plus sales tax. When you finance a car, you are paying off a loan for the retail price of the vehicle plus interest (sales tax is paid at time of purchase). A lower monthly payment means more financial flexibility. Leasing also may allow you to get a more loaded car for the same monthly payment as financing the base model.

New Car Every Few Years

One luxury of leasing a car is the ability to get a different vehicle every few years. Of course, you must wait until your current lease agreement is up, but you will never have to deal with the hassle of selling or trading your old car. When you lease, you are not the owner of the vehicle; the leasing company or bank is. They allow you to drive the vehicle for the duration of your lease agreement, a similar process to renting an apartment. With the flexibility to change vehicles every time you enter a new lease agreement, you can enjoy the latest models, tech and safety features the industry has to offer.

New Car Every Few Years

One luxury of leasing a car is the ability to get a different vehicle every few years. Of course, you must wait until your current lease agreement is up, but you will never have to deal with the hassle of selling or trading your old car. When you lease, you are not the owner of the vehicle; the leasing company or bank is. They allow you to drive the vehicle for the duration of your lease agreement, a similar process to renting an apartment. With the flexibility to change vehicles every time you enter a new lease agreement, you can enjoy the latest models, tech and safety features the industry has to offer.

Even if you determine that leasing is the right option for you, reading through and understanding every word in the agreement can still be a stressful process. The automotive leasing industry may seem to have its own language, but its not as complicated as you think. Below are the most common leasing terms with explanations to help you successfully master the car leasing process.

Acquisition Fee

The fee charge by leasing companies and banks to cover expenses of administrating the lease

Disposition Fee

The fee charged to cover expenses of cleaning, preparing and selling the vehicle after you return it at lease end

GAP Waiver

Agreement to waive the difference of what you owe on the lease and what your insurance company will reimburse if your car is stolen or destroyed

Mileage Allowance

The number of miles you can drive during the duration of your lease agreement. Exceeding the allowance will result in an excess mileage charge because the number of miles affects the residual value of the vehicle.

Residual Value (RV)

Set at the beginning of the lease, this is the vehicle’s estimated value at lease end. The RV is used to calculate your monthly payment. The higher the RV, the lower the monthly payment (less depreciation). 

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How to Get Your Car Spring Ready

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HOW TO GET YOUR CAR SPRING READY

Winter is coming. While that may be true for the hit HBO television show, it’s not for car owners and lessees in the northeast. Those cold, early mornings of defrosting your car are finally in the rear view mirror. Spring is right around the corner and with the change of season comes new car maintenance responsibilities. Here are the top four ways to make sure your car is ready for spring:

1. Wash Your Car, Undercarriage & Floor Mats

While you should consistently wash your car throughout the year, it is especially important to thoroughly wash your car after months of driving through road salt. Over time, a buildup of road salt can cause damage and rust the undercarriage of the car. Road salt can also eat away at your car’s paint. As we head into the spring, be sure to wash away any excess salt. Even spray down the floor mats inside your car to get rid of any salt carried in from your shoes.

2. Replace Your Wiper Blades for Unobstructed Vision

After a long winter filled with ice and snow, wiper blades are left streaking and squeaking across your windshield. Ineffective wiper blades can create a real danger by impairing a driver’s vision. Rather than risk your safety during April showers, act now and provide yourself an unobstructed view. Replacing your wiper blades is a relatively inexpensive way to make sure your car is ready for the spring season.

2. Replace Your Wiper Blades for Unobstructed Vision

After a long winter filled with ice and snow, wiper blades are left streaking and squeaking across your windshield. Ineffective wiper blades can create a real danger by impairing a driver’s vision. Rather than risk your safety during April showers, act now and provide yourself an unobstructed view. Replacing your wiper blades is a relatively inexpensive way to make sure your car is ready for the spring season.

3. Check Your Tire Pressure

With lower temperatures comes lower tire pressure. The unforgiving winter cold can significantly lower your tire pressure, which can cause more wear and tear on the tires, as well as lower fuel efficiency. Tire pressure should always be monitored, especially as we head into a warmer weather season. Be sure to reference your car’s owner manual to ensure your tires are inflated to the recommended PSI. Also, be sure to inspect the tread of your tires to confirm that they are still in good shape.

4. Continue Servicing Your Car

No matter what season it is, it is always important service your car regularly. Timely oil changes, filter replacements and fluid refills are essential to keep your car running at peak performance. Always reference your car’s owner manual for more information about which parts of your car should consistently be serviced and when.

4. Continue Servicing Your Car

No matter what season it is, it is always important service your car regularly. Timely oil changes, filter replacements and fluid refills are essential to keep your car running at peak performance. Always reference your car’s owner manual for more information about which parts of your car should consistently be serviced and when.

For lessees of Fusion Auto Finance, be sure to reference our “No Surprises” Wear and Tear Policy” as a guide for servicing your leased vehicle. Stay informed on what qualifies as acceptable and normal wear and tear, as well as what is considered excessive and chargeable.

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