Generations of car dealership interactions have led to the development of many different tips, tricks, and myths related to buying cars. Car buying really just comes down to doing your research, test driving and being prepared to make a purchase when you find the car you want. In the internet age, you have easy access to all the information you need to make an informed buying decision, which means some of the old dealership myths no longer hold any weight. Be wary about the below three myths and just do your own research.

Myth #1 Dealerships are out to get you.
Successful car dealerships – and all successful businesses for that matter – remain successful because of great customer relations. Car dealerships that treat their customers poorly or try to trick customers won’t be in business long, especially in the internet age. Our first priority as a dealership is to provide you with top automotive solutions, from automotive repair to helping you find the right car that fits your desires.

Myth #2 Kelley Blue Book is fact.
Kelley Blue Book is a good tool to use as a guide, but it should only be used as a guide. Trade-in value is based on year, model, mileage, conditioning and market demand. For a car dealership, demand is one of the biggest factors we consider. A good practice is to compare Kelley Blue Book numbers with local sales data of your vehicle to get an idea of what it is worth.

Myth #3 Extended warranties are rip-offs.
Extended warranties are an option. You don’t have to buy them. We offer them because life happens. Unforeseen things can go wrong with even the best cared for vehicles and extended warranties can help when unforeseen things happen. You’re paying for peace of mind with an extended warranty.

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Memorial Day begins the wave of summer vacations and excursions, which means a lot of driving tends to occur around Memorial Day weekend. So with Memorial Day just around the corner, Merit Chevrolet wants to remind everyone about a few fuel saving tips. Now, just to be clear, you’ll save the most gas with a fuel-efficient vehicle, but if you don’t have that option, then there are a few things you can do to maximize fuel efficiency in your vehicle.

Lose any unneeded cargo.

Extra cargo means extra weight. More weight translates to faster gas consumption because your vehicle’s engine has to work harder. We understand summer trips require plenty of luggage and travel companions but if you can limit the luggage to a bare minimum, it could help you save on gas.

Slow down for better economy.

The threshold at which most cars begin to consume gas faster is between 50 MPH and 60 MPH on average. So, if you’re okay with easing off the gas pedal on the highway and maintaining a speed between 50 MPH and 60 MPH, then you’ll get the most of out your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.

The air conditioner isn’t cool for fuel efficiency.

Summer is hot. Driving in summer can be hotter. The air conditioner might seem like a cool savior when the cabin of your vehicle feels like an oven but be prepared to watch your gas gauge drop fast when you use it. If rolling down the window cools your car enough, do that. Save the AC for the most unruly of hot days.

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Tires make movement possible; without them your vehicle is just a fancy machine with no legs. And if you choose to drive on bad tires, your vehicle might take you somewhere but it won’t be a safe ride. I guess what we’re trying to say is tires are key pieces of a vehicle that also happen to be easy to maintain. You can complete most tire care practices by yourself and the few maintenance tasks that you can’t do at home are cheap compared to major auto repairs. If you want to extend the life of your tires, simply follow the below steps.

1. Check Tire Pressure RegularlyPoor tire pressure affects fuel efficiency and tire wear negatively. If you maintain optimal tire pressure it will extend the life of the tire and your vehicle will perform at top-rated MPG levels. You can find optimal tire inflation levels printed in your owner’s manual, the label on your vehicle’s doorjamb, inside the fuel hatch or on the glove compartment door. You should not follow the maximum operating pressure on the sidewall of your tires.

2. Rotate Your Tires Every Six to Eight Thousand MilesRotating tires extends their life by helping the tire tread to wear evenly. Each tire and wheel is moved to a different position, thus balancing out tire wear overtime.

3. Check Suspension Alignment

Front and rear suspension alignment ensures your vehicle maintains top handling, and it’s a practice that increases the life and performance of tires. Optimal alignment can be ruined by simple potholes and railroad crossings or lager impacts from accidents. If you notice heavy vibrations while driving or uneven tire wear, you should consider checking the alignment.

4. Always Keep Your Tires and Wheels Balanced

Wheels out of balance can cause irregular treadwear and vibration. Every time you purchase new tires, the tires need to be balanced; the first sign of uneven treadwear or heavy vibrations, you should consider checking tire balance.

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In a midsize truck world, which truck is king? The Chevrolet Colorado or Toyota Tacoma? We might be a Chevy dealer but we’re not biased. The facts speak for themselves. The Colorado has been Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year two years in a row for many reasons; some of those reasons are listed below.

1. More Engine Options Than Tacoma – The Colorado offers prospective buyers 3 engine options: A 2.5L V4 (200 hp with 191 lb.-ft. of torque), a 2.8L turbo diesel V4 (181 hp with 369 lb.-ft. of torque) and a 3.6L V6 (305 hp with 365 lb.-ft. of torque). The Tacoma only offers drivers two engine options: A 2.7L V4 (159 hp with 180 lb.-ft. of torque) and a 3.5L V6 (278 hp with 265 lb.-ft. of torque).

2. More Towing Capacity Than Tacoma – The Colorado boasts up to 7,700 lbs of towing capacity. Tacoma only offers a towing package increase up to 6,800 lbs. Close but not close enough.

3. Both Trucks Help Make Driving Safer – Colorado has Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning tech installed while the Tacoma gives drivers Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert tech. For argument’s sake, we’ll call these features a draw.

4. You Save Money With The Colorado – Base MSRP for the Tacoma is $23,300 while the base MSRP for the Colorado is $20,100. You get more with the Colorado and save money. How is that possible?

5. We at Merit Chevrolet also think the Colorado just looks way better than the Tacoma. If the two trucks were paintings, the Colorado would have been painted by the likes of da Vinci or Michelangelo while the Tacoma would have been made by Van Gogh – a little crazy.

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