As a parent you check safety recalls, protect your children from household chemicals under the sink, but is your car as safe as it can be when driving your kids? According to SeatCheck.org 7 of 10 kids are using a car seat that is not properly installed.
First it is a good idea to read thru the safety tips, not only when you have a new baby, but as your child grows to make sure that you're properly belting them in for each drive.
When installing a car seat, know about the LATCH system. As SeatCheck explains, "LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. It is a system mandated by the federal government in an effort to standardize and simplify the installation of child restraints. Nearly all new vehicles and child safety seats manufactured on and after September 1, 2002 will be equipped with the LATCH system. Cars, minivans and light trucks will be required to have anchor points between the vehicle's seat cushion and the seat back in at least two rear seating positions. Child safety seats will have tether straps or rigid connectors that hook into these anchors, thereby eliminating the need to secure the child safety seat to the vehicle using the vehicle's seat belt system."
If your car seat does not have the LATCH system, you can still use the seat belt to properly anchor the carseat. If your child has grown out of a car seat but now needs a booster seat, the installation will likely not have the LATCH system, be sure to ready the directions on the specific seat.
After a car accident you may need to consider purchasing a new car seat. Read this link for more information about replacing a car seat after an accident.
There is another helpful site for Colorado residents to read about car seat installation and having children as passengers in your vehicle.
We hope this information is helpful to you and your family!
If you have a car in Lakewood Colorado and are needing help with your car seat installation, you can set an appointment to have your car seat properly installed at the fire department.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The minivan in America
As defined by Wikipedia, "A multi-purpose vehicle (abbreviated MPV), minivan, people-carrier, people-mover or multi-utility vehicle (shortened MUV) is a type of automobile similar in shape to a van that is designed for personal use. Minivans are taller than a sedan, hatchback or a station wagon, and are designed for maximum interior room."
In America, the minivan's form has met function and many models are much more comfortable than ever before. As a passenger vehicle most minivans fit six to eight passengers. Due to the passenger space, it has also been coined as the vehicle for soccer moms as it fits a majority of their youth teams.
But no longer are mini-vans only suitable for juice drinking, happy meal consuming, pre adolescents. As the vehicle design changed over time, it became more suitable for larger teenage or adult passengers. Once difficult to enter the rear rows of seats with only one sliding passenger door, all of the current popular models including the Ford Windstar, Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Caravan, Kia Sedona, and Ford Freestar have dual sliding passenger doors. Additionally on many models the narrow seat benches have been redesigned. In some models there are no benches, and while the capacity is reduced by two, there is comfort for six adults in captain seats. As most minivans are not filled to full capacity for its ordinary use, instead of a second row bench, many models have a captain seat option. For comfort for rear passengers, more minivan models now offer wing windows in the back to increase air circulation. Whether or not your passengers are young and old, options on newer models include passenger entertainment with DVD players, and personal headphones. Additionally these entertainment items can be added after market on a used minivan that is not already equipped.
Minivans have become a more alluring vehicle to many American car shoppers with its improvements. The passenger capacity beats almost all used mid sized SUVs--often SUV third row seating, can only fit a small child. Additionally cargo capacity is a great option for other drivers. No longer does it require two strong adults to lift out heavy bench seats on many models. With Dodge/Chrysler's stow and go cargo space, sporting equipment or groceries can easily fit in, despite full passenger capacity. Cargo capacity is made easier in these models as the seats fold down into the floor.
Depending on your family's vehicle needs, the gas mileage, cargo/passenger space, just may be the right used car for you! If you are an active family and needing a used vehicle in Colorado, test drive at Mark's Auto Sales.
In America, the minivan's form has met function and many models are much more comfortable than ever before. As a passenger vehicle most minivans fit six to eight passengers. Due to the passenger space, it has also been coined as the vehicle for soccer moms as it fits a majority of their youth teams.
But no longer are mini-vans only suitable for juice drinking, happy meal consuming, pre adolescents. As the vehicle design changed over time, it became more suitable for larger teenage or adult passengers. Once difficult to enter the rear rows of seats with only one sliding passenger door, all of the current popular models including the Ford Windstar, Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Caravan, Kia Sedona, and Ford Freestar have dual sliding passenger doors. Additionally on many models the narrow seat benches have been redesigned. In some models there are no benches, and while the capacity is reduced by two, there is comfort for six adults in captain seats. As most minivans are not filled to full capacity for its ordinary use, instead of a second row bench, many models have a captain seat option. For comfort for rear passengers, more minivan models now offer wing windows in the back to increase air circulation. Whether or not your passengers are young and old, options on newer models include passenger entertainment with DVD players, and personal headphones. Additionally these entertainment items can be added after market on a used minivan that is not already equipped.
Minivans have become a more alluring vehicle to many American car shoppers with its improvements. The passenger capacity beats almost all used mid sized SUVs--often SUV third row seating, can only fit a small child. Additionally cargo capacity is a great option for other drivers. No longer does it require two strong adults to lift out heavy bench seats on many models. With Dodge/Chrysler's stow and go cargo space, sporting equipment or groceries can easily fit in, despite full passenger capacity. Cargo capacity is made easier in these models as the seats fold down into the floor.
Depending on your family's vehicle needs, the gas mileage, cargo/passenger space, just may be the right used car for you! If you are an active family and needing a used vehicle in Colorado, test drive at Mark's Auto Sales.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Are you a Toyota owner? Do you have questions?
For weeks now Toyota owners have heard about the Toyota recall and accidents when an accelerator took off with the driver out of control. The causes of this anomaly have not been entirely clear either. Initially the vehicle's floormats were pointed at as the only issue, but evidence now suggests that wear of the acceleration mechanism, increased stickiness of the pedal and possibly the electrical system are at fault. Certainly a Toyota certified mechanic can give you more insight about the recall, can inspect your vehicle, and answer specific questions.
Certainly many owners, who purchased their vehicle based on Toyota's reputation for reliability and safety are thinking twice if they should continue driving their vehicles until the problem has entirely been corrected. As many Toyota vehicles are still on the road, an important thing to know if your Toyota, or any vehicle for that fact accelerates uncontrollably, is how to regain control of the vehicle. Thank you to an article in the Huffington Post for sharing this from Toyota:
"What should you do if your car suddenly accelerates? Here are three ways to stop the vehicle, according to Toyota:
_ Step on the brake pedal with both feet using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes.
_ Shift the transmission gear selector into neutral. Use the brakes to make a controlled stop by the side of the road.
_ If you're unable to put the vehicle in neutral, turn off the engine. This will cut off power assist to the steering wheel and brakes, but as long as the key is in the ignition, you will still be able to steer and brake. If you have an engine start/stop button, press it firmly for three seconds to turn the engine off. Do not tap it. If you have a conventional key ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position. Do not remove the key from the ignition."
In case if you haven't taken a look at the models and vehicle years that are being recalled, you can find them listed here.
We hope you found this information insightful. As information relevant to the car industry becomes available, Mark's Auto Sales strives to be your trusted source for insight as a car owner. Thank you.
Certainly many owners, who purchased their vehicle based on Toyota's reputation for reliability and safety are thinking twice if they should continue driving their vehicles until the problem has entirely been corrected. As many Toyota vehicles are still on the road, an important thing to know if your Toyota, or any vehicle for that fact accelerates uncontrollably, is how to regain control of the vehicle. Thank you to an article in the Huffington Post for sharing this from Toyota:
"What should you do if your car suddenly accelerates? Here are three ways to stop the vehicle, according to Toyota:
_ Step on the brake pedal with both feet using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes.
_ Shift the transmission gear selector into neutral. Use the brakes to make a controlled stop by the side of the road.
_ If you're unable to put the vehicle in neutral, turn off the engine. This will cut off power assist to the steering wheel and brakes, but as long as the key is in the ignition, you will still be able to steer and brake. If you have an engine start/stop button, press it firmly for three seconds to turn the engine off. Do not tap it. If you have a conventional key ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position. Do not remove the key from the ignition."
In case if you haven't taken a look at the models and vehicle years that are being recalled, you can find them listed here.
We hope you found this information insightful. As information relevant to the car industry becomes available, Mark's Auto Sales strives to be your trusted source for insight as a car owner. Thank you.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
A look inside the Ford Taurus
One of the most recognizable vehicle models in the United States, the Ford Taurus is also one of the most popular used cars in inventory at Mark's Auto Sales. If you own a Taurus, you may know some of this already, but if not here is some more information about this popular American manufactured car.
Ford is currently the most popular vehicle manufacturer in America. Ford is also the most profitable manufacturer as Detroit has had difficulty in recent years as the economy slowed down and foreign brands continued to grow their market share.
The Ford Taurus was first introduced in 1986, and has always been a four door full size sedan. According to a Wikipedia source from 1986 to 2007, over 7.5 million Ford Taurus' have been manufactured and sold in America. During the 1990s it had several years as the number one selling car in the country. In 2007 the Taurus took a break and was replaced by the Ford Fusion and Ford Five Hundred, but this time on the sidelines wasn't long as 2010 brought in the new Ford Taurus.
The history of the Ford Taurus stretches through six generations of car design. From the beginning, there have been many customizable features that make the vehicle comfortable and driver friendly. In the second generation and current sixth generation the higher powered Taurus model is the SHO. Another notable feature from Ford was that the second generation Taurus was the first sedan to provide full sized front airbags to both the driver and the front passenger.
Mark's Auto Sales is proud to keep Ford Taurus in their used car inventory based on its efficiency in relation to size, as well as its reasonable repair and maintenance costs. In addition the Ford Taurus is a vehicle with auto loan financing options such as buy here pay here or bank financing.
Be sure to check out our website and contact us if you're considering a Ford Taurus or another used vehicle.
In the meantime, check out a video of a Taurus in inventory!
Ford is currently the most popular vehicle manufacturer in America. Ford is also the most profitable manufacturer as Detroit has had difficulty in recent years as the economy slowed down and foreign brands continued to grow their market share.
The Ford Taurus was first introduced in 1986, and has always been a four door full size sedan. According to a Wikipedia source from 1986 to 2007, over 7.5 million Ford Taurus' have been manufactured and sold in America. During the 1990s it had several years as the number one selling car in the country. In 2007 the Taurus took a break and was replaced by the Ford Fusion and Ford Five Hundred, but this time on the sidelines wasn't long as 2010 brought in the new Ford Taurus.
The history of the Ford Taurus stretches through six generations of car design. From the beginning, there have been many customizable features that make the vehicle comfortable and driver friendly. In the second generation and current sixth generation the higher powered Taurus model is the SHO. Another notable feature from Ford was that the second generation Taurus was the first sedan to provide full sized front airbags to both the driver and the front passenger.
Mark's Auto Sales is proud to keep Ford Taurus in their used car inventory based on its efficiency in relation to size, as well as its reasonable repair and maintenance costs. In addition the Ford Taurus is a vehicle with auto loan financing options such as buy here pay here or bank financing.
Be sure to check out our website and contact us if you're considering a Ford Taurus or another used vehicle.
In the meantime, check out a video of a Taurus in inventory!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Not too late to file your taxes!
It's still tax season, and not too late to file and drive all in the same day. Save time going to the accountant and the bank and spend that time test driving a used car at Mark's Auto Sales.
It's easy to file your taxes with our Tax Max program. Bring in your W-2s, social security card for yourself along with all your dependents, and other tax related documents. Our managers are trained to assist you to save time, so you can use part of your tax return for downpayment.
Now is a great time to buy at Mark's Auto Sales.
-New inventory arriving weekly
-Buy here pay here program can finance good, bad and ugly credit
-Bank and credit union financing available for those who qualify
-File today, drive today
-Oil change discounts available to Mark's Auto Sales customers
and more!!!
Keep informed of everything happening at Mark's Auto Sales on Facebook
Contact our used car sales staff or come in to Lakewood, 7800 W. Colfax Ave.
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