Monthly Archives: July 2017

approved car loan form

Benefits of Getting Pre-Approved for a Car Loan

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Posted in Car Buying

Ideally, you would pay for your car with cash. That way, you wouldn’t have to deal with loans, payments, or debt. Realistically speaking, however, that is an impossibility for most of us.

In order to get the car you need for school, family, or work, you will most likely have to finance. Luckily, there are easy ways to get pre-approved for a car loan, which usually carries a much lower interest rate than a personal loan.

How to Get Pre-Approved for a Car Loan

There are many places that you can go to get pre-approved for a car loan, including traditional banking institutions, such as Wells Fargo and Bank of America, and online lenders, such as Capital One. Interest rates and requirements vary by location.

Keep in mind that the advertised interest rates on websites and advertisements tend to be reserved for those with excellent credit. If you have bad credit or no credit, it’s still possible to find a car you love at a price you can afford. Rates will be higher, but there are options available, such as getting a cosigner to lower your rates.

While it’s a good idea to shop around, we highly recommend checking with your dealership first before seeking out competitors.

At Auto Simple, you can easily get pre-approved online. Just fill out the form and you’ll get your pre-approval within minutes. Don’t worry, it won’t affect your credit score.

Good Credit? Accepted

Bad Credit? Accepted

No Credit? Accepted

Past Bankruptcy? Accepted

Once you get approved, you will know how much you can spend on a vehicle along with the interest rate and monthly payments for the loan.

If you don’t know what your credit score is, it’s a good idea to check before seeking out auto loans. Check with your bank. You are normally entitled to one free credit report per year.

Important Note: When you get pre-approved for a car loan, it’s almost always required that you purchase your vehicle from an authorized dealership. Most pre-approved auto loans don’t apply to independent dealerships and private sellers. If you wanted to purchase a vehicle from a private seller or independent dealership, you would have to take out a personal loan, which carries higher interest rates.

Benefits of Pre-Approved Auto Loans 

  1. Helps set a realistic budget 

When you get an auto loan pre-approval, your lender will set a maximum loan amount based on your credit score and other factors. Don’t forget about other expenses, such as fees and taxes. So if you are approved for a $20,000 loan, choose a car that is several thousands of dollars less than that.

  1. Improves your credit score

When you make regular payments on your auto loan, you can quickly rebuild your credit score. Our goal at Auto Simple is to approve your financing and help rebuild your credit by reporting to 3 major credit reporting agencies every month.

We want to work with you. If you need to speak with us about your loan or payments, simply give us a call and we’ll figure something out together so as not to harm your credit.

  1. Allows you to compare interest rates

Auto loan pre-approvals provide a baseline to compare with other offers. Simply fill out your dealer’s pre-approval application first to see what is being offered.

Many dealerships offer competitive financing to simplify the payment process and get customers to finance with them.

  1. Simplify the buying process

When you are pre-approved, you not only have a realistic budget in place, it’s also like having cash in your pocket when you are shopping around for the best car deal. Once you are pre-approved, you can focus on the car-buying process rather than worry about down payments, loan terms, and interest rates. Simply ask your dealer what the “out-of-door” or “TT&L” (tax, title and license) price is.

  1. Avoid spot delivery and “yo-yo financing” scams

Sometimes, dealerships will allow you to leave the lot with your new car without fully closing out the financing portion of the deal. This is what is known as “spot delivery”—cars are sold “on-the-spot.”

Yo-yo financing usually happens to people with poor credit when the deal is made on late nights or weekends, when banks are closed. When the banks open, they review the loan applications and either approve or deny them.

If you left the lot without the bank approving the loan first, you may receive a call from the dealership notifying you that the loan wasn’t approved. This may entail going back to the dealership to reapply for the loan, which normally leads to higher interest rates and a larger down payment.

Subprime buyers (those with a credit rating under 680) are particularly susceptible to dealership scams. You can avoid this situation entirely by getting pre-approved for a loan.

  1. Save time, energy, and money

Pre-approved loans save you a lot of time and energy at finance and insurance (F&I) offices, where you will most likely have to sit through several sales pitches. Buying a car is complicated enough without adding a lot of paperwork and travel time to different offices.

Why Choose Auto Simple

Our goal is to provide everyone with the right car, regardless of credit history. With hundreds of cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs, we make it easy to drive away in the car that matches your lifestyle and budget.

  • Free CarFax on all vehicles
  • Hassle-free financing
  • Easy, fast process (drive away in less than an hour)
  • Free conventional oil changes every 90 days
  • Rebuild your credit (we report to major credit reporting agencies every month)

Final Note:

To avoid going deeper into debt and possibly getting your vehicle repossessed, do your homework first and make sure you can actually make your car payments. While auto loan pre-approvals can quickly rebuild your credit score, they can also make it worse. Learn how to buy a used car if you have bad or no credit.

Read our Used Car Buyer’s Guide for more information on the car-buying process.

For a dealership that knows how to treat buyers right, contact Auto Simple.

We carry a large selection of hand-picked, Certified Pre-Owned vehicles, all of which come with a 6 month/6,000-mile powertrain warranty.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to speak with one of our Online Specialists or give us a call:

Chattanooga, TN – (423) 551-3600

Cleveland, TN – (423) 472-2000

Dayton, TN – (423) 775-4600

Dalton, GA – (706) 217-2277

Follow us on social media for more useful information on buying, selling, and maintaining cars: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google+.

a hand jump starting a car

The Proper Way to Jump-Start a Vehicle

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Posted in Car Maintenance, DIY, Safety

“Click-click-click… click-click-click.” Then, dead silence. The engine won’t start. Needless to say, it can be a nerve-wracking experience to be stuck on the side of the road with a dead battery.

Even though jump-starting a dead battery is an easy thing to do, many people rely on a road service provider or an altruistic motorist.

Rather than waiting around for a tow truck or somebody with the right tools, learn the safe and proper way to jump-start a dead battery. And with today’s portable jump starters— sometimes as small as a cell phone—it’s easy to bail yourself and others out without having to flag someone down.

What to Do Before Jump-Starting a Vehicle

Check the owner’s manual for specific instructions related to your vehicle. For instance, if your battery is in an odd location, such as the trunk or wheel well, you may have to connect the cables to a different area, such as a junction block. Regardless, it’s always a good idea to follow the instructions in your owner’s manual.

Your “dead battery” may just be a “dirty battery.” Sometimes, the battery won’t work because of dirty terminals and loose connections. Try cleaning the battery terminals with a stiff brush dipped in a baking soda and water mixture.

Never touch the terminals with your hand as sulfuric acid may burn you. It’s always a good idea to wear protective gloves and glasses when you are working on vehicle batteries. If any powdery stuff gets on you, clean it off with soap and water immediately.

Rinse the terminals with a spray bottle of water, wipe dry with a rag, and tighten the connections with a wrench. Turn the ignition to see if that did the trick before attempting the jump-start process.

Important Safety Tips:

  • Make sure there are no open flames or cigarettes in use while working on a battery. Batteries emit very flammable hydrogen gas.
  • Always inspect the battery for damage before proceeding. If you notice leaks, cracks, or any other damage, don’t take the risk trying to jump start the car. Instead, call roadside assistance or a tow truck.
  • Make sure the red and black ends of the jumper cables never touch each other once they are connected to a battery. This can result in a very dangerous electrical arcing situation that can cause damage to people and vehicles.
  • Don’t let your jumper cables hang loose around the engine. They can potentially interfere with moving parts.
  • Make sure both cars are off with the keys removed before connecting the cables.
  • Red = Positive (+); Black = Negative (-)
  • Purchase only heavy-duty, high-quality jumper cables. Avoid “cigarette lighter jump starters.” They take a lot of time to generate any useful charge, and only if you are lucky will they work.
  • Make sure the clamps are firmly in place to avoid them being shaken loose and possibly causing an electrical arcing or shorting situation.
  • Keep your face away from the batteries at all times.
  • Never cross cables when they are attached to a battery. If the clamps contact each other while connected to a battery or jump starter, a spark can cause a battery explosion.

Battery explosions are rare, but possible

Hydrogen gas is produced as a natural byproduct of the chemical process used to create electricity. Although there is no real danger of electrocution since the voltage is fairly low (about 12), small sparks can cause explosions from the hydrogen gas that is produced by the battery.

According to The Straight Dope, there may be 6,000-10,000 injuries caused by exploding car batteries every year. While these numbers were never confirmed, it’s still a real danger that affects a significant number of people every year.

Although the chances are slim, you can avoid battery accidents by following the above safety tips and the proper procedures below.

How to Jump Start a Vehicle (with Jumper Cables)

You will need jumper cables (plus another vehicle). We also recommend gloves and glasses for protection, and baking soda, water, a wire brush and rag to clean off battery terminals (if necessary).

  1. In addition to jumper cables, you will need another vehicle to provide the jolt of power from their working battery.
  2. Have the person with the good battery pull up to the disabled car with both engines facing each other. Make sure the vehicles are close but not touching. If the cars are touching, a dangerous arc can be produced.
  3. Turn off both cars, remove the keys from the ignition, and pop the hoods.
  4. Locate the positive terminals (marked by a “+” or POS sign) and negative terminals (marked by a “–“ or NEG sign). If you can’t find your battery, check the owner’s manual.
  5. You may need to remove terminal coverings, known as cell caps. These may be individual caps for each terminal or a yellow strip that can be peeled off. Keep in mind that your battery may not have cell caps.
  6. Make sure both cars are completely off and both batteries are in good shape (no cracks or leaks, for example).
  7. You may have to clean battery corrosion off of terminals and cables to establish a clean electrical connection. Dip a wire brush (or old toothbrush) into a baking soda and water solution to clean up corrosion. Rinse clean with a spray bottle of water and wipe dry with a rag. Try not to get any water or baking soda into the vents of the battery.
  8. Connect the jumper cables in the following order:
    1. Connect the red jumper cable to the positive terminal (+) on the dead car’s battery.
    2. Connect the other end (also red) to the positive terminal on the working battery.
    3. Connect the black jumper cable to the negative terminal (-) on the working car’s battery.
    4. Connect the other end (also black) to a clean, unpainted metal surface under the disabled car’s hood (the engine block is a good place).
  9. Do NOT connect the black end to the negative terminal on the dead car’s battery! This can risk causing a spark that can ignite the hydrogen gas surrounding the battery.
  10. Start the working car’s engine and let it run for about 2-3 minutes. This charges the battery.
  11. Then, start up the disabled car. If the engine does not start, turn off both vehicles and wiggle the clamps to try to establish a good, clean electrical connection. If you cannot get the car to start after a couple of tries, you may need to have your battery replaced or the car towed.
  12. Once the dead car’s engine is running, remove the jumper cables in the opposite order that you put them on:
    1. Disconnect the black clamp from the grounded metal section of the dead car.
    2. Disconnect the black clamp from the good battery.
    3. Disconnect the red clamp from the good battery.
    4. Disconnect the red clamp from the dead battery.
  13. After a successful jump, run the vehicle for at least 15 minutes so that the alternator has time to charge the battery.

If the battery dies soon after jump-starting the vehicle, it’s probably due to a dead alternator not being able to charge the system.

How Long Does a Car Battery Last?

Car batteries last around 3-5 years. If your battery is older than three years, it’s a good idea to get it professionally tested every year.

Many auto shops, battery centers, and tire stores will do this for free and it only takes a few minutes. They’ll be able to tell you if a new battery is necessary and roughly how long your battery will last.

Click here for more car maintenance essentials.

Auto Simple carries a large selection of hand-picked, Certified Pre-Owned vehicles, all of which come with a 6 month/6,000-mile powertrain warranty.

With locations in Cleveland, Chattanooga, Dayton, and a new store in Dalton, GA, we make it easy to walk away with your dream car.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to speak with one of our Online Specialists or give us a call:

Chattanooga, TN – (423) 551-3600

Cleveland, TN – (423) 472-2000

Dayton, TN – (423) 775-4600

Dalton, GA – (706) 217-2277

Follow us on social media for more useful information on buying, selling, and maintaining cars: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google+.

a man cleaning the inside of a car

10 Cleaning and Organization Hacks for the Car

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Posted in Car Fun, Car Maintenance

Are you sick of a dirty and disorganized car? Whether you have kids or not, it’s difficult to maintain car cleanliness. Instead of treating your vehicle as one big storage dump, use these cleaning and organization hacks to keep things fresh and tidy all year long.

HOW TO KEEP THE CAR CLEAN & ORGANIZED

10 Cleaning & Organization Hacks

  1. Use toothpaste to clean headlights and remove scuffs.

Foggy headlights are a safety hazard. According to AAA, restoring your headlights can increase the overall amount of light projected by 30% and reduce glare-producing light scatter by 60%.

Just as toothpaste cleans your teeth, it can also be used to polish your headlights and remove marks from CDs, DVDs, phones, tablets.

Simply wipe your headlights down with soap and water and allow to dry before going over your headlight lenses with a small amount of toothpaste on a clean rag. Rub in circular motions until clean.

The mild abrasive in toothpaste helps restore clarity and remove scratches, however, it is only a temporary fix. In 2-6 months, that hazy look will come back again.

For a longer-lasting solution, buy an inexpensive do-it-yourself headlight refinishing kit at your auto parts store. You can also pay a professional around $30-$150 to do it for you.

Not only does toothpaste help restore clarity to your headlights, but it can also be used to remove minor scratches and scuffs from your car. Make sure the surface is clean before you apply any toothpaste. Since toothpaste acts as a mild form of sandpaper, you don’t want to buff dirt and debris into the paint.

Once the surface is clean and dry, rub some toothpaste onto the scuff with a damp cloth. Use circular motions until the mark is gone.

Toothpaste has also been known to clean vinyl or leather interiors. After you vacuum the area and remove crumbs and dirt, dab some non-gel toothpaste onto the stain and wipe clean with a damp cloth.

  1. Clean and deodorize carpets with soda, vinegar, and baking soda

Every vehicle owner knows that carpets and interiors can get really dirty, especially if you have children. If you want to get rid of stains and smells, you can restore some of that new car smell by using water, vinegar, and baking soda.

  1. First, start out by deodorizing your car. Simply fill two bowls with white vinegar and place one on the dashboard and the other on the back seat. Leave overnight and remove in the morning. Open up doors and windows until the vinegar smell has gone away.
  2. After the vinegar smell has dispersed, mix 1 cup of water with ¼ cup of baking soda. Use a toothbrush to wipe away all of your stains, such as ketchup and coffee. Let the mixture penetrate the stains for 30 minutes.
  3. After 30 minutes, take a clean, dry cloth and blot the area dry.
  4. Finish up your cleaning job with a spray bottle mixture of ¼ cup of vinegar, 1 cup of warm water, and a couple drops of dish detergent. Use a soft-bristled brush to wipe your upholstery clean. After 15 minutes or so, use a clean, dry cloth to absorb extra moisture.

Now, you have a clean interior!

  1. Keep cleaning products in your car

In order to keep your seats and interior clean while on the go, carry some cleaning products in the car:

  • Baby wipes are great for quickly cleaning up small spills and stains. Since they don’t contain any harmful chemicals, they are a safe and effective way to keep your vehicle clean.
  • Microfiber cloths are great for cleaning around the house, garage, and the car. These ultra-absorbent cloths are strong, durable, and reusable. They are better at pulling away dust and dirt than paper towels and old rags, which is why they are perfect for automotive cleaning. Carry some microfiber cloths in the car and use them to wash the inside and outside of your car.
  • Seltzer water/club soda is a great stain remover. Keep a can or two in your car for a cheap and quick cleaning job. Use your microfiber cloths to get rid of stains as they occur.
  • Vinegar can be combined with soda water to effectively clean upholstery and carpets.
  • Coffee filters can be used to wipe up dirt and dust from your car. They are also used to create a streak-free shine on windows. Simply add a little club soda or your favorite cleaning solution and run it along your interior for a cheap and easy cleaning job.
  • Foam craft brushes are perfect for getting in between small spaces in your vehicle. For instance, if you wanted to clean the dirt that has collected in your A/C vents or get inside your door-side container, dollar-store foam brushes are the way to go.
  • Cupcake liners can be used to keep your drink holders clean. Just replace them once they get dirty.

When you are done with your cleaning job, you can also use cornstarch to soak up any remaining moisture. Just vacuum it up afterwards and enjoy your new, clean car.

  1. Use seltzer water and alcohol to prevent windshield wiper streaks

Clean your windshield wipers and prevent streaking by periodically wiping them clean with a cloth dipped in seltzer water and alcohol.

  1. Use a plastic cereal container as a small garbage can 

Where do you toss your garbage when you are in the car? Do you use those small slots in the door?

Rather than making a mess of your vehicle and clean-up a pain, pick up a plastic cereal container for a couple of bucks. It will serve as your mess-free garbage can for the rest of your driving days.

You can easily insert a plastic bag for easy clean-up, and it also has a lid to contain any smells. This is a great way to keep trash where it belongs—in a trash bag.

  1. Use an empty tissue box to store your plastic bags

Instead of throwing away your old tissue boxes, reuse them for your car. Put a bunch of plastic bags in a tissue box for easy access. If anybody needs an extra bag for shopping, barfing, or cleaning up, it will always be there.

  1. Place a laundry basket in your trunk for easy organization

When you are driving, do you hear stuff rolling around and making noise in your trunk? If you had a laundry basket in there, you would be able to contain all of your items so they aren’t flying around the trunk.

Laundry baskets can be picked up for just a couple of dollars at your local discount store.

  1. Drape a shoe organizer on the backs of seats to keep everything neat

You’ve probably already heard of this little car organizing hack, but have you actually done it? It’s surprisingly effective at keeping everything in your car organized and easily accessible.

The “hack” has gotten so popular that you can now buy back-seat organizers that have been specifically designed for the car. Store everything from maps and medicines to toys and coloring supplies.

Also, if you have loose colored pencils or crayons lying around, you can store them neatly in an empty DVD case.

  1. Use a shower caddy to organize all of your vehicle’s fluids

Where do you currently store your motor oil, coolant, and windshield wiper fluid? If they are just knocking around in your trunk, now’s the time to make a simple change that will greatly improve your life on the road.

Simply purchase a cheap shower caddy and use it to organize all of the necessary fluids for your car.

Learn more about car fluids and how to maintain your vehicle here.

  1. Consider a wheel cover

While some people argue against wheel covers, they can help keep your steering wheel in good shape. Sun and dirty hands can quickly make a steering wheel look old and raggedy. In addition to keeping your steering wheel clean, wheel covers also increase safety by improving grip and reducing driver fatigue.

Additionally, a cloth cover won’t ever get as hot or cold as your regular steering wheel, enabling you to get on the road in comfort sooner than usual.

We’d love to hear your cleaning and organization hacks for the car. Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+.

You may also enjoy:

·      Best Tips for First-Time Car Buyers and New Drivers

·      10 Ways to Winterize Your Car | Get Your Vehicle Ready for Winter

·      Winter Driving Tips | How to Handle Skids

Auto Simple wants to help you find the perfect vehicle.

With locations in Cleveland, Chattanooga, Dayton, and a new store in Dalton, GA, we make it easy to drive away in your dream car.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to speak with one of our Online Specialists or give us a call:

Chattanooga, TN – (423) 551-3600

Cleveland, TN – (423) 472-2000

Dayton, TN – (423) 775-4600

Dalton, GA – (706) 217-2277

Follow us for more useful information on buying, selling, and maintaining cars: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google+.

side view of a car covered in snow

How to Get Your Car Unstuck from Any Situation

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Posted in DIY, Safety

Off-roader or not, all of us will eventually find ourselves in the situation of getting our vehicle unstuck from mud, sand, snow, or a ditch.

Have you ever seen a flooded road and thought, “Maybe I can drive through or around it?” The car up ahead thought the same thing and got through with no problem. That means you should be fine too, right?

Wrong! This is how many people get stuck. Don’t underestimate the power of water and flooding situations. Most flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. This is usually because many people try to drive through or around flooded roads and barriers that warn of flooding ahead.

The best way to prevent a sticky and potentially dangerous situation is to avoid these types of scenarios all together.

While you may have to add some time to your trip, it’s a lot better than getting stuck, or worse, swept downstream.

How to Avoid Getting Stuck

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water.

Turn Around Don’t Drown PSA (National Weather Service)

Many deaths are caused when vehicles are swept downstream.

  • Pay attention to flash flood warnings and Turn Around Don’t Drown® Warning Signs.
  • A mere 12 inches of rushing water can carry away a small car; 18-24 inches for larger vehicles.
  • Never walk or drive into flood waters!
  • If you see a flooded road, don’t try to drive around it. You are likely to get stuck in deep mud.

While it may feel instinctual to follow someone else’s path, you don’t know what kind of car or tires enabled them to make a safe passage. Additionally, mud ruts tend to be a lot softer, increasing your likelihood of getting stuck.

Don’t be a follower. If come upon mud or flood water, turn around and find a different route.

Sometimes, however, there is no other option. If you absolutely must drive through the mud, we recommend stopping the vehicle and assessing the situation first. You want to plan your attack before mindlessly driving into the muck.

How to Drive Through Mud

  • Check the depth of the mud with a stick.
  • Avoid the mud if you see tire tracks going in but not coming out.
  • Speeding through mud can cause you to lose control. Too slow and you might get stuck. Try to find the right balance and move your steering wheel slightly from right to left to gain more traction.
  • Avoid driving in the same tracks left by someone else. This mud is softer and a lot easier to get stuck in. Be different—blaze a new path.
  • Keep your tires properly inflated and in good shape.
  • Consider carrying a shovel, winch, car jack, gravel, sand, kitty litter, and/or planks in your vehicle in case you do get stuck in the snow, sand, or mud.
  • Learn how to winterize your vehicle and which items you should always have in your vehicle.

Recommended Items to Get Your Car Unstuck

Here are the most useful tools and materials to have on-hand in case you ever get stuck in mud, sand, or snow:

  1. Shovel
  2. Wood Planks, Carpet, and Cardboard
  3. Wheel Tracks (for example, Trac-Grabber — a plastic self-rescue device that gets strapped to the drive wheels)
  4. Car Jack
  5. Tow Strap (can be used by another vehicle to help free your vehicle)
  6. Winch (if attaching to another vehicle, always hook it to the frame)
  7. Snow Chains (put them on your tires before you drive around in the snow)

While every situation is different—mud, snow, sand, a ditch—the principles behind getting your car unstuck remain relatively the same. Learn them now before you spend hours of toiling in vain.

How to Get Your Car Unstuck from Any Situation

If you do find yourself in a sticky situation, don’t keep spinning your wheels. You’ll only dig yourself a deeper hole.

Before calling a tow truck, follow these steps for getting your vehicle unstuck:

  1. Plan

Before you start spinning your wheels and digging yourself a deeper hole, get out of the car and assess the situation. Find the trouble spot and make a plan.

If you are in snow, make sure your exhaust pipe isn’t blocked. This can cause dangerous carbon monoxide to build up inside the vehicle.

Determine which wheels are spinning/stuck.

  1. Build Up Traction

Traction is essential for getting your vehicle unstuck. Look for any obstacles that may be causing the problem and remove them. If you have sand, gravel, or kitty litter (make sure it’s not the clay-based type!), add them to the front and back of the tires to aid traction. If you don’t have these items, find some rocks, logs, and other items that may work (for instance, your carpet mats).

If you do use a floor mat, keep in mind that it will probably be destroyed by the end of it. If you ever replace your floor mats, consider saving one or two for just this kind of situation.

In a truly desperate situation, you may be able to use the removable panel that covers the spare tire (found in most trunks). It is usually a large flexible panel with carpeting on one side. Insert it in front (or behind) the worst stuck tire and drive onto a dry area. Bear in mind that the panel will probably be destroyed and need to be replaced.

You may also want to try digging a path for each tire.

  1. Jack Up the Car (if you have planks or plenty of gravel)

You can try to jack up the car, but only if the ground is firm and you have some planks and gravel that you can use to fill the depression in. Otherwise, skip this step.

  1. Release Air from Tires

You may get better luck freeing your vehicle if you release some air from the tires. By releasing the air (not too much!), you can increase the surface area of the tire on the ground. Try not to release more than 15 PSI. At that point, you are doing more harm than good.

  1. Push the Car

If there is anyone around to help you, have them push the car from behind while you very gently press on the gas.

  1. Use a Winch (if available)

If you have a winch, now is the time to use it. Find a tree or another steady object that you can attach the winch to.

  1. Call a Tow Truck

When all else fails, you will need to be towed out.

The Easy Method

This process can get most vehicles unstuck:

  • Stop the car as soon as you feel stuck. Do NOT spin your wheels!
  • Get out of the car and scoop some salt or sand in front the drive tires.
  • Have your assistants push the car forward while you slightly wiggle the wheel to gain traction.

If no one is around to help you:

  • Dig around your drive wheels (the wheels that do the turning when you accelerate).
  • Try to wedge a carpet, blanket, plank, or mat under the wheel.
  • Get back in the car and gently press on the gas to inch yourself out. You want to feel the tires grip the item.
  • If there’s a lot of spinning, but no gripping, stop and reassess.

Once you are successfully out of the mud, wash your car thoroughly and take it to a mechanic to check for damage.

You may also enjoy:

·      Best Tips for First-Time Car Buyers and New Drivers

·      10 Ways to Winterize Your Car | Get Your Vehicle Ready for Winter

·      Winter Driving Tips | How to Handle Skids

Auto Simple wants to help you find the perfect vehicle.

With locations in Cleveland, Chattanooga, Dayton, and a new store in Dalton, GA, we make it easy to drive away in your dream car.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to speak with one of our Online Specialists or give us a call:

Chattanooga, TN – (423) 551-3600

Cleveland, TN – (423) 472-2000

Dayton, TN – (423) 775-4600

Dalton, GA – (706) 217-2277

Follow us for more useful information on buying, selling, and maintaining cars: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google+.