CarWeb Official Blog

The best way to stay safe in a blizzard is to stay at home. But if you must be out on the road, we’ve got some tips for you to make the best of it.

Be prepared

• Gas is pretty cheap these days. Keep your gas tank topped off a little more this time of year. If you get stuck, you’ll be able to leave the car running and stay warm until help arrives.
• Make a winter emergency kit with windshield scraper, shovel, water and snacks, blanket and warm clothes, road salt or sand for traction, first aid kit and anything else you might need on the road.
• Make sure you know where to park so you don’t get plowed in.
• Before driving, clear off all of your windows and mirrors of ice and snow. Don’t forget to clear off your headlights and taillights!

While driving

• Be patient. Stopping and changing direction are going to take much longer than normal, so slow down and stay alert.
• Pick a lane and stick to it. Drive in the tracks created by other cars. Don’t change lanes unless the one you’re in becomes unmanageable. A sudden lane change maneuver might put your car in the ditch.
• Don’t try to pass snow removal trucks — that’s asking for trouble. Besides, your best place to be is well behind a plow as it clears a path or salts the road for you.

If you get stuck

• If you’re really, really stuck or have ended up in the ditch, stay put and call for roadside assistance. Be thankful you packed snacks in your winter emergency kit.
• If you’re only a little bit stuck — and it’s safe to exit your vehicle — you can get to work with your shovel and sand. Dig out around the tires and pour out some sand or salt for traction.
• Put the vehicle in its lowest gear and slowly move the car forward and backward to “rock” it out. Causing the tires to spin will just create a slick, icy surface.

If you’re staying home

• Don’t order food for delivery! They don’t want to be out in the snowstorm for the same reasons you don’t.
• If you do order food for delivery, tip VERY well. And be patient, because it might take a while.

Here at Car Web, we know that getting a great deal on a used car is about more than just the low price. It’s about ensuring your happiness long after the sale. That’s why we work so hard to make sure we’re offering the highest-quality pre-owned cars in the area. Since we want you to be experts on buying used cars just like we are, here are some things to keep in mind when you’re browsing our lot or other used car lots in the area.

Research prices

You can easily search for the Blue Book value of any make, model and year vehicle online. A specific vehicle’s mileage and condition will affect the price, but you’ll know the ballpark figure. We come as close to the lowest Blue Book price as we can, often beating the average price with promotional offers.

Research reviews

A quick Google search for the model and year of car you’re checking out will tell you what people think of it and what problems they may have encountered. If the results scare you, it’s best to steer clear of that vehicle, although we’ll have taken care of any recall issues and remedied any problems we can.

Vehicle condition

Always look carefully at the aesthetics of a car, inside and out. We detail each car and carefully inspect all of the parts. Go ahead and pop the hood to check for any dirt or rust. Remember that it’s possible for a car to be in a fender-bender and then be repaired to look as good as new. That leads us to the next item on our checklist.

Vehicle history report

All of our vehicles come with a free Carfax vehicle history report and a Carfax Buyback Guarantee. You should never shop for a used car at a dealership that doesn’t offer some kind of vehicle history report. You never know what you are going to get, and what you don’t want is a lemon. Many of our used vehicles come with a warranty as well.

Test drive

The test drive may be the most important part of the vehicle buying process, but some people don’t spend enough time on it. Make sure the vehicle is comfortable and the visibility is good. Get it up to highway speed and listen for squeaks and rattles. See what it’s like to parallel park. Whatever it takes to get to know the vehicle you might be spending your hard-earned money on.

When you’re shopping around for a used car, you’re about to make on of the biggest purchases a person can make. It’s best not to rush into things. You’ve already made the right decision by coming to us: Always choose a used car dealership you can trust. About us. Now we’ll tell you what else to be careful of so you can end up with the right car at the right price.

Skimping on the research

Spend as much time as you can on our website, researching and comparing models. That’s what it’s here for. We want you to be fully informed and prepared when you come to see us at the dealership for a test drive. So take your time online.

Start your research here: Inventory. 

Focusing too much on the monthly payment

We can make the terms for just about any car in our inventory fit your monthly budget. It’s important to consider the interest rate and the length of the loan to know how much car you can truly afford.

Not knowing the value of your trade-in

Use online tools like the ones available at our website to figure out what your trade-in is worth. If you’re worried that your car might need some minor repairs, don’t sweat it. It’s best to save your money toward the price of the new car. We can fix minor issues with your trade-in.

Value your trade. 

Not doing a nice, long test drive

Don’t be nervous about driving a car that doesn’t belong to you. This is your opportunity to test it out in all kinds of conditions. Take the car on the highway and get it up to speed. Try backing it up to check what the visibility is like. You can even make a checklist of your usual driving and parking conditions and mark things off as you go.

Apply for financing. 

Not getting pre-approved for a car loan

Before you get here, be sure to use our online form for pre-approval of your financing. You’ll know exactly what you can spend on a car and what our best deal on the interest rate is. You can’t beat the convenience of one-stop shopping at our dealership.

Rushing into a purchase

Don’t feel pressured to buy right away. We know our prices seem like the deal of the century, but you do have a right to sleep on it before signing up for this major purchase. Take your time. We’ll be here when you’re ready.

Still have questions? Contact us. 

If you made a New Year’s resolution to get in shape in 2016, we’re going to help you stick to it. No excuses this year! These are some of our favorite fitness places in Fredericksburg VA.

Pedal power

Our favorite form of exercise is people-powered transportation. That’s right, believe it or not, we recommend parking the car for a while and hitting the road on your own two feet. Walking, running, bicycling and inline-skating are all great options, and there are lots of trails in the area where you can do these activities for free while enjoying the outdoors. A great place to get started is right here. Just download the map and away you go.

Pump some iron

Would you rather burn fat and build muscle in a controlled indoor environment? Are you best motivated by a personal trainer or the thought of wasted membership fees? Then a fitness center may be the thing for you. Here are some of the best places to go for a workout in our area:

American Family Fitness

http://amfamfit.com/

10020 Southpoint Pkwy

Fredericksburg, VA 22407

(540) 898-6111

Gold’s Gym

http://www.goldsgym.com/fredericksburgva/

2380 Plank Road

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

(540) 368-0032

Planet Fitness

http://www.planetfitness.com/gyms/fredericksburg-va-266

1257 Jefferson Davis Hwy

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

(540) 322-5652

Fredericksburg Sport & Health

http://www.sportandhealth.com/locations/virginia-clubs/Fredericksburg

1191 Central Park Blvd.

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

(540) 786-4242

Rappahannock Area Y

http://www.family-ymca.org/

212 Butler Road

Fredericksburg, VA 22405

(540) 371-9622

Anytime Fitness

http://anytimefitness.com/gyms/3434/Fredericksburg-VA-22406

27 South Gateway Drive

Fredericksburg, VA 22406

(540) 809-3183

Fly Fitness Inspiration

http://www.flyfitnessinspiration.com/

501 William St.

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

(540) 847-5614

Bodyworks Downtown Athletic Club

http://www.bodyworksdowntown.com/

1027 Caroline St.

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

(540) 899-2203

Fitness 1440

http://www.fitness1440.com/fredericksburgva/

570 Celebrate Virginia Pkwy

Fredericksburg, VA 22406

(540) 752-7643

Koko FitClub of Fredericksburg

http://fredericksburgva.kokofitclub.com/local/

5629 Plank Road

Fredericksburg, VA 22407

(540) 786-5656