If you're the parent of a teenager, you likely know all about trying to find a vehicle for your son or daughter that's within your budget and will be safe for them to drive. As a group, teenage drivers are more likely to engage in risky behavior while driving, but you might not have the budget to spend the same amount of money on your child's vehicle as you would your own. At Garcia Honda Albuquerque, we want to help you find a safe vehicle for your child, so here are a few tips.

First of all…

If you are looking to save money on your car payment, you could choose to trade your current vehicle in for a less expensive model. Alternatively, you could work to refinance your loan to lower your interest rate or extend the term to lower the monthly payment.

At Garcia Honda Albuquerque, we want you to know as much as possible about both of these options. Refinancing your loan to one with a lower interest rate is generally only possible if you have good credit. Market conditions may also play a role in whether refinancing is a viable option.

 

An infotainment system is showing up in more cars, providing access to more technology. At Garcia Honda Albuquerque, we’ll show you the many models that include one of these systems, giving you access to vehicle information, navigation, audio controls, and more from one screen.

There are so many ways that you can access the system. You can safely drive down the road in Albuquerque while engaging with the system. Voice controls and buttons on the steering wheel allow you to keep your eyes straight ahead. Plus, there’s a touchscreen as the command center in most vehicles.
 

 

Many people don't think about saving money on a road trip, but there are many things you can do to keep more of your money and put it toward other expenses. At Garcia Honda Albuquerque we have a couple of tips to make sure your next trip is fun and inexpensive.

Get on the road early and make sure you only take what you need for the trip. Overpacking can cause your vehicle to use more gas for a long trip. Budget your gas costs by the places you know you will stop to fill up on the trip…

When it comes to floor mats, you may be wondering just what type you should use in your vehicle. Well, before you get too confused at which one you should use, it would be a good idea to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each choice. Consider this comparison:

Rubber Floor Mats

Rubber floor mats are useful because they have a rubber material that makes it very easy to clean. Moreover, they usually will look decent against the backdrop of your carpets. Unfortunately, rubber floor mats only come in three colors: gray, tan or black.

Carpet floor mats

The best…

Washing your car is a mundane task, one that often falls by the wayside the older a vehicle gets. However, it's in your best interest to wash your vehicle on a regular basis, and it's not only because you want it to keep looking good. Here are a few other benefits.

Dirt left on your vehicle can lead to damage such as scratches and other exterior damage that will decrease its value. Rust can also occur, which will increase damage and decrease value even more. A good washing will also make your car more fuel efficient.

Regular washings…

Gone are the days when the pickup truck was a working vehicle designed to carry cargo with little concern for the cab occupants. Today, pickups with differently designed cabs are seen throughout Albuquerque.

The regular or standard cab still exists, often with two bucket seats limiting occupancy. The demand for more space for passengers led manufacturers to the super cab with two rows of seats and four doors, the two rear doors being suicide doors that will not open unless the front doors are open. 

What options do you have to avoid a repossession? Well, in many cases, you don’t have to lose your vehicle at all. You can simply talk to your loan company and get an extension or even see about a refinance option. While some companies won’t offer any additional options, there are times when you have positive equity that you can trade the vehicle in for something much smaller and more affordable.

If you want to trade in your vehicle, then you want to make sure you’re in a positive equity state. Otherwise you may have to downsize…

We here at Garcia Honda Albuquerque are totally stoked about the new IIHS ratings for Lower Anchor and Tethers for Children (LATCH) systems. The ratings can help us and you select vehicles whose LATCH systems are rated for sturdiness and accessibility. Here's the fine print.

Why IIHS LATCH Ratings Are a Wonderful Thing

LATCH systems help you best install a car seat. However, not all LATCH systems are created equal. Some are hard to figure out and use, and a challenging LATCH system often results in incorrect car seat installation and tethering.

Good, Acceptable, Marginal and...

 

You did not see the rock shooting up toward your windshield until it was too late. Now, you are left with a damaged windshield. We want you to know how to care for your car and how to deal with chips and cracks in the windshield.

It is important that you consider replacing your windshield rather than just repairing it if seeing the spot where it has been repaired will bother you. If you want your windshield to be free of any kinds of blemishes, you must have it replaced. Chips that are repaired still show up on the windshield…